n 


NORTH     CAROLINA, 


Up-to-D'ate. 


£5 


f  902. 


Compliments    of 


See  Page 


^ 


Cbe  Lifitarp 

of  ti)e 

(LSnfoeusitp  of  Jf3orti)  Carolina 


Collection  of  jRorttj  Catoliniana 

UNIVERSITY  OF  N.C.  AT  CHAPEL  HILL 


I 


00030753756 

FOR  USE  ONLY  IN 
THE  NORTH  CAROLINA  COLLECTION 


m 


WILMINGTON  UP-TO-DATE 

THE  METROPOLIS  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA 

GRAPHICALLY  PORTRAYED. 


COMPILED  UNDER   THE  AUSPICES  OF 


THE  CHAMBER  OF  COMMERCE, 


ALSO 

A  SERIES  OF  COMPREHENSIVE  SKETCHES  OF  REPRESENTATIVE 
BUSINESS  ENTERPRISES. 


WILMINGTON,     N,     C; 
W.  L.  De  ROSSET,  Jr.,  Printer.  I.    J.    ISAACS,     Compiler. 

1902. 


NEW   HANOVER    COUNTY   COURT   HOUSE. 


Wilmington,  IN.  C, 

Up-to-date. 


rogressive  cities  have  never  been  the  result  of  accident,  but  in 
variably  their  development  has  been  the  outgrowth  of  natural 
and  artificial  conditions  very  clearly  defined  and  unquestionable 
>in  their  existence  and  influences. 
The  most  important  natural  conditions  are  salubrity  of  climate,  con- 
venient geographical  position,  fertility  of  soil  in  the  adjacent  agricul- 
tural region,  and  particularly  accessibility  to  navigable  waters — for  all 
history  bears  witness  that  no  populous  and  prosperous  community  ever 
flourished  without  commerce,  and  hitherto,  at  least,  commerce  has  al- 
ways been  dependent  upon  riparian  communication  with  the  outside 
world.  The  climate  of  our  city  is  a  delightful  one  at  all  seasons,  the 
killing  blasts  of  winter  so  much  dreaded  by  the  inhabitants  of  less 
favored  regions  being  practically  unknown,  while  the  heat  of  midsum- 
mer is  tempered  by  the  cooling  breezes  of  the  ocean.  Here  we  are  free 
from  the  sudden  and  dangerous  changes  of  climate  common  to  most 
latitudes.  No  locality  in  the  Union  has  a  more  equable  climate  or  one 
where  the  seasons  glide  more  imperceptably  into  each  other.  Rarely 
ever  do  we  hear  of  a  case  of  sunstroke  and  we  never  have  a  freezing 
temperature  in  winter  to  extend  over  a  few  days.  Our  breezes  come  to 
us  tempered  by  the  waters  of  the  Gulf,  whose  stream  journeys  within  a 
few  miles  of  our  shores  on  its  way  to  exert  an  equally  beneficial  influ- 
ence upon  the  coasts  of  Great  Britain  and  Northwestern  Europe. 

It  is  not  our  mission  in  these  pages  to  devote  any  space  to  details 
connected  with  the  early  history  of  Wilmington.  Our  business  is  not 
with  the  past,  but  with  the  present,  with  living  men  and  their  daily 
occupations,  enterprises  and  successes,  what  they  are  doing  for  them- 
selves, their  city  and  district  in  commerce,  manufacturers  and  agricul- 
ture and  in  contributing  to  the  advancement  and  progress  of  the 
localitv. 

Location  and  Climatic* 

Wilmington,  the  metropolis  of  the  State,  is  located  on  the  banks 
of  the  Cape  Fear  River,  thirty  miles  from  its  entrance  to  the  sea  and 
eleven  miles  west  from  the  seashore  in  latitude  34°  14  N.,  longitude 
77°  57  W. ,  and  at  an  elevation  of  38  feet  above  sea  level.  Next  to  the 
river  is  a  gently  rolling  surface,  on  which  the  city  is  located,  which 
permits  of  easy  drainage  and  the  carrying  off  of  all  impurities  from  the 
soil.      The   equability   of  temperature   and   precipitation    from  year  to 


X 


THE   CITY   OF  WILMINGTON. 


year  and  the  freedom  from  excessive  heat  and  cold  shows  the  adapta- 
bility of  the  climate  for  the  successful  carrying  on  of  all  branches  of 
human  endeavor.  The  average  temperature  for  the  year  at  Wilming- 
ton is  03  degreess.  The  lowest  temperature  recorded  was  five  above 
zero  in  February,  1901.  The  warmest  month  of  the  year  is  July  and 
it  has  a  normal  temperature  of  80°,  the   highest   having  been   reached 


ST.   JAMES'    EPISCOPAL   CHURCH. 

103°  and  the  lowest  58°  for  the  same  month,  the  mean  temperature  for 
July  ranging  from  77°  to  84°  in  different  years.  The  humidity  even 
during  the  hottest  months  is  below  the  average  and  in  the  afternoon  of 
each  day  there  is  almost  invariably  a  refreshing  breeze,  which  invig- 
orates humanity  and  renders  sleep  easy  and  recuperating.  The  nor- 
mal rainfall  for  the  year  during  a  period  of  twenty-five  years  is  54 
inches.  The  heaviest  rainfall  occurs  in  the  summer  months  in  con- 
nection with  the  time  of  greatest  heat  produces  a  luxuriant  vegetation 


THE   CITY  OF  WILMINGTON. 


and  affords  moisture  to  crops  when  most  needed.  In  the  spring-  there 
are  moderate  rainfalls,  which  are  very  beneficial  to  truck  and  straw- 
berry growers.  As  a  rule  the  precipitation  is  regular  and  can  be  de- 
pended upon,  although,  of  course,  there  have  been  times  when  all  cal  il- 
lations have  gone  astray.  Last  year  was  an  abnormal  one,  the  heaviest 
amount  of  rain  having  then  fallen  almost  within  the  recollection  of  the 
oldest  inhabitant.  There  is  very  little  snow  and  it  seldom  remains  on 
the  ground  longer  than  a  few  hours,  and   a  damaging  frost   is   a   very 


R.    BELLAMY'S    RESIDENCE. 


rare  occurrence.  There  is  very  little  danger  of  injury  to  trucking  in- 
terests from  frost,  indeed  no  more  so  than  in  localities  hundreds  of 
miles  south,  the  ocean  and  the  river  helping  much  to  modify  low  tem- 
peratures. 

A  City  of  Homes* 

This  designation  can  hardly  be  improved  upon,  for,  after  admir- 
ing the  handsome  houses  of  the  well-to-do,  the  eye  of  the  visitor  will 
rest  with  pleasure  upon  the  homes  of  the  working  man,  the  clerk  and 
the  young  business  man,  miles  of  our  thoroughfares  being  lined  with 
neat,  but  inexpensive  houses  often  owned  by  the  occupant.  This  is 
exemplified  by  the  fact  that  in  the  principal  residential  district  seventy- 
eight  per  cent,  of  the  houses  occupied  are  the  property  of  those  living 
in  them.  Land  has  never  been  held  at  fancy  prices  and  the  reasonable 
price  at  which  the  above  classes  have  been  able  to  experience  the  great 
boon  of  owning  their  own  domiciles  have  advanced  the  welfare  of  the 
city  and  have  created  a  class  of  citizens  who  are  content  and  are  bound 
up  with  the  interests  of  the  community.  The  real  estate  men,  savings 
bank  and  building  associations  have  done  much  to  render  possible  this 


THE  CITY  OF  WILMINGTON. 


state  of  affairs,  and  no  man  of  limited  means  who  is  steady  and  indus- 
trious need  be  without  his  own  home  in  Wilmington,  for  any  length  of 
time  if  he  so  desires. 

Opportunities  for  Manufacturing* 

A  good  place  to  manufacture  successfully  is  evidently  at  a  point 
where  the  raw  materials  accumulate  or  where  they  can  be  procured  ad- 
vantageously, and  where  at  the  same  time  there  are  ample  facilities  for 
sending  the  product  to  market.  Wilmington,  in  a  large  measure  and 
for  certain  branches  of  production,  may  be  said  to  furnish  these  condi- 
tions. Situated  at  a  focal  point  of  three  great  systems  of  railroads  and 
with  convenient  river  and  ocean  water  communication,  connecting  the 
locality  with  the  markets  of  the  United  States  and  also  with  foreign 
countries,  contiguous  to  great  timber  and  lumber  producing  regions, 
and  furthermore,  being  a  great   center  oi   distribution    for  agricultural 


CITY    HALE    AND    OPERA    HOUSE. 


products,  material  c;m  with  facility  accumulate  here.  Opportunities 
are  presented  in  Wilmington  lo  the  manufacturer  in  certain  lines  of  a 
much  more  advantageous  <  aracter  than  are  offered  by  larger  cities, 
inasmuch  that  while  in  most  respects  equal  conditions  are  at  hand,  the 
cost  of  living  and  labor  and,  therefore,  production  is  lower  at  the  same 
time  that  suitable  and  convenient  sites  are  available  at  comparatively 
little  cost.  Wilmington  and  its  inhabitants  are  prepared  to  welcome 
any  who  may  purpose  to  make  this  city  the  seat  of  their  operations  and 
to  lend  them  ever)-  assistance  which  is  in  their  power.  The  manufac- 
turer who  comes  here  will  find  everything  provided  for  the  successful 
operation  of  his  enterprise  and  a  helping  hand  will  be  extended  him  by 
every  citizen  of  the  community.  In  brief,  some  of  the  general  advan- 
tages of  Wilmington  are  : 

1st.    It  is  located  on  one  of  the  most  fertile  and  productive  regions  of 
the  United  States  and  one  of  the  most   thriving  sections  of  the  South. 


THE  CITY  OF  WILMINGTON. 


2nd.  It  possesses  admirable  railroad  facilities,  connecting  it  directly 
with  the  entire  country  and  opening  up  all  parts  for  its  products  and 
for  obtaining  raw  material. 

3rd.  //  has  a  good  system  of  steamboat  lines,  which  ply  on  the  water 
ways  tributary  to  this  port,  bringing  here  from  adjacent  territory  agri- 
cultural and  other  products,  returning  with  merchandise  to  supply  the 
wants  of  these  localities. 

4th.  It  has  ocean  communication  with  all  parts  of  the  world  and 
two  regular  lines  of  steamships  to  New  York,  bringing  the  city  into 
close  and  intimate  contact  with  the  principal  ports  of  the  Old  and  New 
Worlds. 


ARMORY   WILMINGTON   LIGHT   INFANTRY. 

5th.  It  is  in  direct  and  contiguous  connection  both  by  land  and  water 
with  the  great  lumber  and  bituminous  coal  regions  of  this  and  adjoin- 
ing states. 

6th.  //  has  a  complete  system  of  electric  cars  in  operation.  The  city 
is  well  lighted  with  gas  and  electricity  and  is  efficiently  policed  and 
guarded  against  fire.  The  fire  department  of  the  city  is  particularly 
efficient,  securing  to  residents  the  lowest  insurance  rates. 

7th.  The  local  government  is  now  based  upon  strict  ideas  of  econo- 
my consistent  with  safe  and  secure  progress  and  the  spirit  of  the  peo- 
ple is  decidedly  in  favor  of  every  measure  to  make  the  rate  of  taxation 
low,  while  at  the  same  time,  all  real  improvements  are  well  supported. 

8th.  The  public  school  system  is  among  the  best  in  the  South  and  af- 
fords  excellent  opportunities  and  facilities.  The  social  advantages 
here  are  numerous,  the  tone  of  society  healthy  and  the  general  morals 


THE  CITY  OF  WILMINGTON 


of   the    community  will    compare  favorably  with   any    city   North    or 
South. 

9th.  The  cost  of  living  here  is  much  lower  than  in  most  cities  of  the 
South. 

10th.  The  surroundings  are  delightful.  The  climate  cannot  be  ex- 
celled.  There  are  no  epidemics,  the  locality  is  generally  free  from 
prevailing  sickness,  and  the  sanitary  precautions  are  enlightened  and 
vigilant.  Recently  a  complete  modern  system  of  sewerage  has  been 
introduced,  enhancing  materially  the  healthfulness  of  the  city. 

11th.  Available  sites  for  manufacturing  are  in  plenty  and  are  low 
in  price,  and  residential  property  is  obtainable  upon  advantageous 
terms. 

But  few  places  in  the  South  offer  within  certain  lines  better 
inducements  to  the  large   and   small  manufacturer  than  does  Wilmino-- 


IS1R.   JAMES   SPRUNT'S   RESIDENCE. 

ton  at  the  present  time.  The  inhabitants  of  this  section  are,  as  a  rule, 
of  the  better  class  of  the  South,  being  made  up  of  industrious  and 
thrifty  people,  who  are  willing  to  work  in  any  congenial  field  that  of- 
fers. This  city  is  the  natural  trading  center  for  a  large  expanse  of 
country,  and  the  locality  is  noted  for  the  production  of  cotton,  pea- 
nuts, rice,  vegetables,  corn,  fruits,  lumber,  pine  products,  etc.,  which 
are  brought  here  to  be  shipped  to  all  parts  of  the  world.  But  there  is 
room  for  expansion,  and  Wilmington's  capital,  though  hitherto  ample, 
has  its  limit,  and  some  of  the  older  capitalists  have  been  trained  to  cer- 
tain pursuits  and  may  not  be  fitted  for  a  change,  hence  the  opportuni- 
ties should  be  filled  principally  by  incoming  investors  domiciled  among 
us,  who  will  find  the  local  business  men  and  capitalists  ready  to  join 
hands  with  skillful  and  experienced  managers.  The  question  has  been 
asked  what  can  advantageously  be  manufactured  at  Willmington. 
The  answer  is  everything  for  which  the  raw  material  can  readily  and 
economically  be  brought  here,  or  is  at  our  doors.  There  is  no  reason 
why  we  should  not  make  here  certain  goods  for  our  people  as  well  and 
as  cheaply  as  in  the  North.  Southern  products  for  the  South  should 
be  and  will  be  the  leg-end  of  the  future. 


THE  CITY  OF  WILMINGTON. 


More  manufactories  are  needed  to  work  up  the  crude  materials 
that  could  be  obtained  from  home  centers  or  imported  from  foreign 
countries.  Many  artificial  necessities  for  use  and  ornament  which  hold 
an  important  place  in  the  economy  of  modern  arts  and  invention  could 
be  profitably  made  here.  Wilmington  is  the  city  of  all  others  where 
the  finest  grades  of  furniture,  which  are  now  imported  fron  northwest- 
ern cities  chiefly,  could  and  should  be  manufactured  at  the  least  cost. 
No  city  on  the  continent  has  superior  facilities  for  importing  mahoga- 


GRACE    MliTHODIST   CHURCH. 

ny,  rosewood  and  other  rare  woods  from  Central  America,  as  well  as 
chestnut,  popular,  ash,  hickory,  cedar,  maple,  walnut,  etc.,  from  the 
forests  of  western  North  Carolina.  In  addition,  the  yellow  pine  of 
this  section  admits  of  a  finish  equal  to  any  and  the  supply  is  inex- 
haustible. 

The  same  advantage  is  held  in  regard  to  manufactories  for  all 
kinds  of  wooden  ware,  such  as  buckets,  tubs,  bread  bowls,  rolling  pins, 
wash  boards  and  a  thousand  other  useful  household  articles  made  of 
wood.  An  establishment  of  this  sort  would  pay  from  the  very  start. 
Almost  every  vessel  that  touches  this  port  from  New  York  or  Balti- 
more has  consignments  of  this  class  of  goods  to  be  distributed  from 


10 


TH£    CITY  OF  WILMINGTON. 


here  within  the  territory  dependent  for  its  supplies  on  this  city.  Here 
also  is  an  unoccupied  field  and  never  failing-  market  for  all  sorts  of  im- 
plements used  in  the  cultivation  of  cotton,  rice  and  farm  products. 

In  the  category  of  needs  may  also  be  included  shoe  last  and  shoe 
peg  factories,  shoe  blacking  and  inks,  axe  and  axe  handle,  boot  and 
shoe  factories,  stucco,  hydraulic  cement  and  drain  pipe  works,  factories 


tor  turning  out  carriages,  buggies,  phaetons,  plantation,  transfer  and 
express  wagons,  trucks,  push  carts,  railroad  and  garden  barrows,  etc. 
There  are  at  all  times  to  be  gathered  in  Wilmington  waste  cotton, 
rags,  jute  and  fibrous  plants  suitable  for  the  manufacture  of  paper  cor- 
dage, etc. 

As  a  lumber   market  this  city  has   splendid  advantages,  and  fur- 
nishes the  material  for  all  kinds  of  lumber  products.      In  short,  there 


THE  CITY  OF  WILMINGTON. 


11 


is  ample  room  in  Wilmington  and  extraordinary  inducements  in  Wil- 
mington for  the  investment  of  capital  and  skilled  labor  in  manufacto- 
ries of  almost  every  conceivable  kind  and  description. 

Several  important  manufacturing  enterprises  have  been  inaugu- 
rated here  within  the  past  few  years  and  have  met  with  a  gratifying 
measure  of  success. 


FIRST   PRESBYTERIAN    CHURCH. 

Lumber  and  Shingles, 

The  lumber  and  kindred  interests  of  Wilmington  may  be  said  to 
rank  among  the  first  in  the  importance  and  volume  of  transactions  ef- 
fected. Throughout  this  and  neighboring  states  there  are  vast  lands 
upon  which  the  supply  of  standing  timber  is  enormous.  There  are 
hundreds  of  mills  in  operation  throughout  this  territory  and  much  of 
their  product  is  shipped  to  this  city  or  is  marketed  through  the 
efforts  of  the  timber  agents  here,  or  in  other  cases,  the  lumber  is  manu- 
factured in  Wilmington  and  shipped  to  all  parts.  During  the  year 
1001  the  amount  cf  lumber  shipped  from  here  was  42,605,644  feet,  of 


12 


THE  CITY  OF  WILMINGTON. 


which  33,316,447  feet  went  coastwise,  the  remainder,  9,379,197  feet, 
being  dispatched  to  foreign  countries.  This,  however,  does  not  repre- 
sent the  whole  of  Wilmington's  lumber  trade,  large  quantities  being 
sold  through  the  agency  of  Wilmington  houses  and  dispatched  direct 
to  destinations  from  the  mills.  In  shingles,  5,014,940  were  shipped  to 
domestic  points  and    1, 161,950  went   abroad.      The    lumber   trade    of 


FIRST   BAPTIST   CHURCH. 


Wilmington  is  not  by  any  means  dependent  upon  ^the  home  demand, 
large  quantities  going  as  will  be  seen  above,  to  foreign  countries.  The 
long  leaf  yellow  pine  and  short  leaf  pine,  are  the  principal  varieties 
handled  and  there  are  the  best  varieties  for  all  kinds  of  building  mate- 
rial and  house  finish,  and  are  particularly  well  suited  to  tne  foreign 
demand.  Lumber,  timber  and  shingles  are  shipped  from  Wilmington 
to  the  West  Indies  and  South   and   Central  America,  the  ships  return- 


THE  CITY  OF  WILMINGTON. 


ing-  loaded  with  molaseses,  fruits  and  other  products  of  these  countries. 
It  may  not  be  out  of  place  to  mention  here  that  the  price  of  lum- 
ber for  home  demand  is  very  reasonable,  an  important  item  in  the  gen- 
eral welfare.  The  best  of  dressed  pine  may  be  obtained  here  at  from 
$10  to  $20  per  thousand  feet,  and  common  dressed  from  S3  to  $8,  and 
shingles  at  $1.50  to  $8  per  thousand,  and  native  hard  woods  at  a  pro- 
portionately low  rate.  There  is  also  a  large  sash,  door  and  blind  fac- 
tory here  and  these  products  are  dealt  in  by  some  of  the  local  mer- 
chants. We  might  also  mention  that  other  building  materials  are 
quite  reasonable  and  serve  to  stimulate  the  building  trade  generally. 
New  settlers  will  find  every  facility  which  will  enable  them  to  erect 
any  description  of  building  or  dwelling  house  under  conditions  which 
will  compare  favorably  with  many  other  localties. 

Cotton* 

The  trade  in  cotton  here  is  of  very  great  importance  and  Wilming- 
ton stands  today  well  up  in  the  list  of  cotton  exporting  ports  of  the 
country,  taking,  as  we  believe,  the  fourth  place.  Wilmington  is  the 
natural  outlet  for  a  wide  expanse  of  territory,  being  well  served  by  the 
railroad  system    centering    here.      There   are   two  compresses  at  Wil- 


COTTON    SHIP    LOADING    FOR    EXPORT    AT    CHAMPION    COMPRESS.     SEE    PAGE    53. 

mington,  one  of  them  among  the  most  important  and  complete  in  its 
equipment  in  the  world.  Ships  are  loaded  up  here  and  dispatched  to 
all  parts,  notably,  Liverpool,  Bremen  and  Ghent.  Most  of  the  cotton 
coming  here  goes  foreign,  some,  however,  supplies  the  home  manufac- 
turers. During  the  year  ending  December  31,  1901,  there  were  ship- 
ped from  Wilmington  247,457  bales  of  cotton,  of  which  222,926  bales 
were  shipped  to  foreign  countries.  In  1900  the  foreign  shipments 
were  257,504  bales,  for  1899,  226,792,  for  1898,  318,450,  for  1897, 
249,374,  and  for  1896,  213,558  bales. 

There  are  two  cotton  mills  in  operation  here,  employing  together 
about  600  or  650  operatives.  The  spindles  operated  here  are  the 
equivalent  of  about  23,000  in  number,  and  of  the  looms,  about  1,000. 
These  mills  turn  out  some  5,000  pounds  of  cotton  goods  daily,  consist- 


i4  THE   CITY  OF  WILMINGTON. 


ing  mainly  of  madras  and  seersucker  cloths  and  cotton  flannels.  The 
goods  are  of  the  very  best  quality  of  their  various  grades,  and  find  a 
ready  market  in  Northern  localities. 

Manufacturing  Industries* 

Manufacturing  in  Wilmington,  although  not  assuming  at  the  pres- 
ent time  as  extensive  dimensions  as  is  desirable,  is,  nevertheless,  of  a 
highly  important  character,  First  of  all,  there  are  the  cotton  factories 
and  the  lumber  mills,  which  have  been  referred  to  elsewhere  under  the 
headings  of  lumber  and  cotton.  In  addition  there  are  two  iron  work- 
ing establishments,  which  not  only  supply  the  home  demands,  but  exe- 
cute work  throughout  this  and  the  neighboring  states.  A  large  cotton 
seed  and  cotton  oil  plant  is  also  in  operation  here.  There  is  also  an 
important  bag  factory,  which  makes  overalls  for  working  men.  A 
new  enterprise  for  the  production  of  brick  by  an  improved  German 
system  is  now  in  operation.  Another  industry  here  is  pine  products, 
made  from  the  sap  and  heart  of  the  pine  tree.  There  are  also  two  paint 
factories  doing  a  large  business  through  a  wide  range  of  territory  and 
an  extensive  house  devoted  to  the  business  of  wood  distilling  and  re- 
fining. One  of  the  largest  fertilizer  plants  of  the  South  is  located  in 
the  vicinity  of  the  city,  and  there  is  also  another  a  few  miles  distant, 
which,  however,  has  its  headquarters  here.  There  are  two  ice  plants 
here,  which  render  the  city  totally  independent  for  its  supply  of  this 
vital  necessity.  There  is  one  of  the  most  extensive  marble  and  granite 
works  to  be  found  in  this  section  of  the  South.  Other  articles  made 
here  and  in  the  vicinity  are  boats,  barrels  and  cooperage,  crates  for 
shipping,  packing  cases  and  boxes,  house  finish,  store,  bank,  and  hard 
wood  finish,  brick,  upholstery,  carriages,  harness  and  saddlery,  confec- 
tionery, proprietary  medicines,  dyed  cotton  for  yarns,  fish  oil  and  fish 
scrap,  corn  meal  and  hominy,  photo  engravings,  corn  whiskey,  fibre 
products,  shirts,  shuttle  blocks,  etc. 

Farming  and  Trucking* 

The  country  within  a  fifty-mile  radius  of  Wilmington  is  offering- 
today  the  greatest  inducements  to  the  farmer,  and  fruit  and  vegetable 
growers  than  almost  any  section  of  the  United  States.  Here  can  be 
obtained  at  a  relatively  moderate  price,  lands  of  the  greatest  fertility 
needing  little,  if  any,  artificial  fertilizing  in  the  heart  of  a  country 
which  is  steadily  progressing.  In  no  part  of  the  United  States  are 
thrift  and  industry  better  rewarded.  Fruits  and  vegetables  can  be 
raised  here  at  as  great  a  profit  as  in  Texas,  or  even  California,  and  at 
the  same  time,  in  addition,  they  are  three  or  four  days  nearer  to  a  profi- 
table market.  Early  vegetables  grown  here  and  strawberries  yield  the 
best  returns,  and  general  farming  has  also  proved  a  thorough  success. 
The  locality  has  the  best  of  railroad  facilities  and  all  parts  of  it  are  be- 
ing settled  by  desirable  and  industrious  people  from  the  North  and 
elsewhere.  The  general  surface  of  the  country  is  sufficiently  above  the 
mean  tide  level  to  afford  good  drainage.  The  soil  varies  somewhat  in 
different  localities,  consisting,  however,  mainly  of  a  sandy  loam,  which 
is  very  fertile  and  suited  to  the  growth  of  any  crop  which  it  is  desirable 
to  cultivate.      By  reason  of  the  proximity  of   the  Gulf  stream  an  ample 


THE  CITY  OF  WILMINGTON. 


and  seasonable  rainfall  is  generally  assured.  Good  clear  water  can  be 
had  at  a  depth  of  from  fifteen  to  twenty  feet  in  most  localities.  In  ad- 
dition unlimited  supplies  of  the  purest  water  is  obtained  from  artesian 
wells  sunk  to  varying  depths  as  may  arise.  The  climate  of  the  Caro- 
lina Coast  country  is  unexcelled  in  America.  The  winds  coming  in- 
land templer  the  heat  of  summer  and  the  cold  of  winter  rendering  the 


climate  more  equable  and  free  from  the  sudden  transitions  of  temepera- 
ture  found  further  north  and  west.  It  seldom  goes  above  ninetv  or 
ninety-five  in  summer  or  below  twenty-five  in  winter,  the  latter  very 
seldom,  while  the  ocean  breeze  makes  it  refreshing  even  in  the  warm- 
est days  of  midsummer.  The  nights  are  deliciously  cool,  the  country- 
is  healthful,  and  pulmonary  diseases  gain  little  if  any  foothold  here. 


16  THE  CITY  OF  WILMINGTON. 

Farming  and  especially  trucking-,  either  on  an  important  or  smaller 
scale,  can  be  prosecuted  here  under  the  most  favorable  conditions. 
Taking  value  and  prospective  advancement  into  consideration  land  may 
be  purchashed  here  per  acre  ranging  say,  from  $25  close  to  the  city  to 
as  low  as  $5  a  few  miles  distant.  The  chief  crops  raised  in  this  vicinity 
for  shipment  are  lettuce,  strawberries,  beets,  potatoes,  cantelope  toma- 
toes, peas,  beans,  asparagus,  celery,  cauliflower,  squash,  sweet  potatoes, 
etc.  Five  different  crops  are  frequently  produced  annually  on  the 
same  land,  in  the  following  order:  First,  asparagus,  then  radishes, 
third,  turnips;  fourth,  beans;  fifth,  cow  peas.  Two  are  three  crops  of 
the  same  kind  can  be  grown  on  the  same  laud  yearly  without  exhaust- 
ing the  soil  or  apparently  lessening  its  fertility.  Strawberries  have  met 
with  the  greatest  success,  and  are  the  pride  of  the  country.  They  are 
greatly  in  favor  with  new  settlers,  bringing  a  fair  return  the  first  season 
after  planting.  Strawberries  are  generally  ready  for  the  market  here 
about  the  middle  of  April,  going  through  on  express  time  to  New 
York  in  24  hours  and  to  Boston  in  36  hours.  They  are  of  the  richest 
aroma  and  most  delicious  taste,  and  invariably  bring  to  their  owners 
large  profits.  There  is  no  difficulty  in  disposing  of  them,  a  ready  mar- 
ket being  available  for  all  that  it  is  possible  to  grow.  Ten  years  ago 
strawberries  were  sent  to  destination  mostly  without  refrigeration,  and 
therefore  did  not  admit  of  very  wide  distribution,  as  they  had  to  be 
consumed  quickly  to  avoid  spoilage.  By  the  refrigerator  transportation 
a  very  different  state  of  affairs  exists.  They  now  arrive  at  market  firm, 
fresh  and  cold,  and  can  be  sent  to  localities  impossible  before.  North 
Carolina  strawberries  and  other  products  may  now  be  seen  exposed  for 
sale  in  cities  as  far  distant  as  Montreal  and  Toronto,  thus  better  prices 
can  be  assured  than  hitherto.  We  believe  that  this  business  in  this 
section  is  but  in  its  infancy,  and  opportunities  are  at  hand  to  all  able 
and  willing  to  grasp  them.  Strawberry  lands  in  this  vicinity  if  prop- 
erly managed  will  yield  an  average  of  from  100  to  150  crates  an  acre. 
To  emphasize  the  growth  of  the  business  we  append  some  statistics  rel- 
ative to  the  shipment  of  strawberries  from  Wilmington  during  the  past 
few  years:  In  1897  there  were  dispatched  from  Wilmington  in  refrig- 
erator cars  1 10,404  crates;  in  1898,  189,758  crates;  in  1899,  228,589 
crates;  in  1900,  283,437  crates,  and  in  1901,  when  the  climate  condi- 
tions were  not  quite  at  the  normal,  331,360  crates,  equivalent  to  10,- 
903,520  quarts  of  the  fruit.  These  were  sent  to  all  parts  of  Pennsylva- 
nia, New  York,  New  England  and  elsewhere.  In  addition  to  the 
above,  some  55,000  crates  were  sent  without  refrigeration  by  express  to 
various  locations. 

The  proportions  and  size  of  the  strawberry  crop  in  this  territory 
such  as  to  necessitate  a  wide  area  of  distribution,  and  as  showing  the 
accessibility  of  this  particular  section  to  the  principal  markets  of  the 
country,  the  Carolina  Fruit  and  Truck  Growers'  Journal,  of  Wilming- 
ton, recently  published  in  tabulated  form  the  shipments  from  every 
point  in  the  district,  showing  the  points  covered  by  these  shipment 
to  be  as  follows  :  New  York,  Philadelphia,  Baltimore,  Newark,  N.  J., 
Washington, Wilmington,  Del.,  Boston,  Providence,  Springfield,  Mass., 
New  Haven,  Conn.,  Hartford,  Conn.,  Cincinnati,  Buffalo,  Pittsburg, 
Cleveland,    Chicaga,    Detroit,    Columbus,  O.,  Indianapolis,    Scranton 


THE   CITY  OF  WILMINGTON. 


Toledo,  Erie,  Pa.,  Montreal,  Toronto, Worcester,  Mass.,  Albany,  Syra- 
cuse, Elniira,  N.  Y. ,  Wheeling,  Utica,  X.  Y.,  Grand  Rapids,  Mich., 
Danbnry,  Conn.,  Wilkesbarre,  Pa.,  Pittsfield,  Mass.,  Atlanta,  Read- 
ing, Pa.,  Altoona,  Pa.,  Binghampton,  N.  Y.,  Rochester,  N.  Y.,  James- 
town, N.  Y.,  Attica,  N.  Y.,  Norwich,  Conn.,  Ithica,  N.  Y. ,  Brooklyn, 





Bridgeport,  Conn.,  Canandaigna,  N.  Y.,  Auburn,  X.  Y.,  Hornelles- 
ville,  X.  Y.,  Waterbury,  Conn.,  Watertown,  Conn.,  Cortland,  X'.  Y., 
Savannah,  Ansonia,  Conn.,   and  Oneonto,  Pa. 

Lettuce  is  another  crop  which  has  met  with  the  greatest  success  in 
this  section.  Fifteen  years  ago  nolettice  was  raised  around  here  either 
in  open  field  or  under  cloth  coyer.  The  lettuce  is  generally  grown  un- 
der canvass  in  winter    and  in  the  open  in  fall  or  spring.      Lettuce  is    a 


THE   CITY  OF  WILMINGTON. 


spiing   and  winter    crop,  and   always    brings  high   prices.      A   careful 
grower  can  generally  obtain  from  $250  to  $o00  from  an  acre. 

Fifty-five  lettuce  beds  on  the  famous  Sans  Souci  truck  farm,  two 
miles  from  Wilmington,  are  each  from  100  to  180  yards  long,  the 
plants  filling  every   inch    of  space  between  the  frames.      The  beds  are 


all  under  canvas  and  cover  an  area  of  seven  acres.  The  crop  com- 
mences moving  in  December  at  the  rate  of  a  carload  per  day,  and 
reaches  northern  markets  at  a  time  when,  it  is  in  demand,  and  brings 
good  prices.  The  season  extends  to  about  the  loth  of  April  or  the  1st 
of  May.  Radishes  are  also  a  good  and  lucrative  crop  and  are  ready  to 
ship  in  thirty  to  thirty-five  days  after  the  seeds  are  planted.  Asparagus 
is  also  a  bountiful  crop,  and  celery  is  successfully  cultivated.     Garden 


THE  CITY  OF  WILMINGTON. 


19 


peas  yield  about  $100  to  the  acre,  and  wax  beansabout  the  same.  Two 
crops  of  cabbages  can  be  raised  regularly  and  each  crop  is  worth  $150 
to  the  acre.  Irish  potatoes  are  profitable,  and  well  looked  after 
yield  about  from  150  to  200  bushels  to  the  acre.  A  good  crop  is  sweet 
potatoes,  especially    suitable    for  a   new  settler.     They  can    be    easily 


grown,  and  at  75  cents  a  bushel,  at  which  price  the}-  now  sell,  will 
yield  about  $250  to  the  acre.  Plums,  grapes,  peaches,  pears,  etc.,  do 
very  well  in  the  bottom  lands  and  on  the  Sound  and  on  all  the  terri- 
tory tributary  to  the  Sound.  There  is  a  good  market  for  these  pro- 
ducts right  in  this  territory,  and  shipped  abroad.  Among  other]  crops 
raised  around  Wilmington  are  peanuts,  which  yield  profitable  returns. 
The  market  for  these  is  here  on  the  spot,  some   half  a   dozen  or  more 


20  THE    CITY  OF  WILMINGTON. 


large  shippers  of  these  products  being  always  willing  to  buy  all  that 
they  can  obtain.  Melons  grow  easily  in  this  section  and  are  prolific 
producers;  cantelopes  of  the  most  delicious  flavor  are  very  successful 
and  command  good  prices.  Stock  fattening  for  the  market  is  now  car- 
ried on  by  a  company  in  Wilmington,  who  at  all  times  have  at  least 
500  head  of  cattle  awaiting  the  butcher.  Cotton  seed  meal  and  hulls 
furnish  nutritious  and  economical  feed  for  this  purpose.  In  the  low 
lands  is  grown  abundance  of  what  is  known  as  crab  grass,  among  the 
best  suited  for  feed  for  stock.  Briefly,  we  may  say  that  almost  all  pro- 
ducts, fruits  and  vegetables  that  can  be  grown  in  temperate  and  sub- 
tropical climates  may  be  produced  here  under  the  most  favorable  con- 
ditions. Another  great  advantage  to  the  trucker  in  this  section  is  the 
complete  transportation  facilities.  The  Atlantic  Coast  Line  and  the 
Seaboard  Air  Line  and  their  branches  have  kept  fully  abreast  with  the 
times  and  furnish  the  truckers  with  the  finest  fast  freight  and  express 
transportation  in  refrigerator  cars  to  be  obtained  anywhere.  To  further 
assist  the  farmer  and  trucker  in  bringing  his  products  to  market,  the 
county  has  just  completed  eight  miles  of  macadamized  roads  and  has 
issued  bonds  for  building  twenty-five  miles  more.  This  will  afford 
four  or  five  different  routes  of  cheap  wagon  transport  to  the  city. 
Thousands  of  farmers  in  New  England  and  in  the  North  and  West 
who  are  barely  making  a  living  on  their  worn  out  lands,  with  long, 
cold  winters  to  endure,  may  soon  achieve  competence  in  North  Caro- 
lina, and  especially  the  coast  section  of  the  State  in  growing  strawber- 
ries, lettuce  and  other  fruits  and  early  vegetables.  The  lands  here  are 
cheap,  easily  worked,  the  climate  is  a  most  grateful  one,  the  markets 
are  easy  of  access  and  the  prices  obtainable  are  high.  Now  is  the 
time  to  come  here  and  partake  of  the  opportunities  and  blessings  which 
a  beneficent  Providence  has  endowed  this  country,  before  prices  go 
much  higher,  as  they  are  certain  to  do  in  the  near  future.  Another 
thing  that  should  be  taken  into  consideration  is  that  this  district  is  no 
wilderness,  schools  for  the  young  abound  under  State  direction  and 
supervision,  churches  are  numerous  and  all  the  refinements  of  civiliza- 
tion are  at  hand.  Hardware  and  building  material  can  be  purchased 
as  cheap  here  as  anywhere;  lumber  is  particularly  reasonable,  and  suit- 
able help  can  be  obtained  here  with  facility  and  is  much  lower  than 
where  only  white  help  can  be  procured.  Intending  home-seekers 
would  do  well  to  consider  the  above  facts  and  make  further  investiga- 
tion. Enquiries  directed  to  the  Chamber  of  Commerce,  of  Wilming- 
ton, will  be  met  with  prompt  and  courteous  attention,  and  all  who 
may  elect  to  cast  their  lot  in  with  this  country  cannot  fail,  if  they  ex- 
ercise due  intelligence  and  industry,  to  lay  the  foundations  of  a  future 
competency  and  prosperity. 

Fish  and  Oysters* 

An  important  industry  transacted  in  and  near  Wilmington  is  in 
fresh  and  salt  fish.  There  are  several  important  concerns  engaged  in 
the  shipping  of  fresh  fish,  some  of  whom  own  their  own  boats,  nets, 
etc.,  and  employ  their  own  fishermen.  The  principal  varieties  of  fish 
caught  in  this  vicinity  are  mullets,  which  are  best  in  Septembar,  shad, 
black  fish,  trout,   sea  bass,    rock,    pig  fish,    flounders,  croakers,  spots, 


THE  CITY  OF  WILMINGTON. 


21 


sturgeon,    catfish,  drum,  whiting-,    snapper,    red   mouth,    herring,    blue 
fish,  bream,  sheephead,  striped  bass,  etc. 

Immense  quantities  of  mullets  are  salted  and  packed  in  Wilming- 
ton and  are  dispatched  to  all  parts  of  the  country.  This  business  forms 
an  important  item  of  the  city's  operations.  Clams  are  also  shipped 
from  Wilmington,  and  one  house  makes  a  specialty  of  terrapin.  The 
oyster  gardens  and  beds,  a  few  miles  from  Wilmington,  afford  a  most 
delicious  variety  of  the  succulent  bivalve.  Not  many  of  these  are 
shipped  to  a  distance,  the  home  demand   being   fully  equal  to  the  sup- 


POST   OFFICE. 

ply.  Not  far  from  Wilmington,  down  the  Cape  Fear  river,  are  two 
large  concerns  engaged  in  the  menhedden  fishery.  These  convert  the 
fish  into  fish  scrap  and  fish  oil  for  fertilizer  and  other  uses. 

The  Wholesale  Trade, 

The  wholesale  trade  of  Wilmington  constitutes  a  very  important 
division  of  the  city's  trade  facilities.  It  is  probable  that  no  single  city 
in  the  country  has  a  larger  number  of  jobbing  houses  than  we  have 
here.  They  have  every  facility  for  doing  business  with  the  contigu- 
ous territory  in  North  and  South  Carolina,  having  direct  railroad  and 
water  communication  with  all  sections.  The  wholesale  merchants 
have    facilities    equal    to    any    in  the  country.     They  buy  their  ooods 


22 


THE  CITY  OF  WILMINGTON. 


direct  from  the  manufacturers  and  importers  or  they  import  direct,  and 
not  only  can  they  compete  successfully  with  other  cities,  but  in  certain 
lines  they  may  be  said  to  have  almost  driven  successful  competition 
out  of  this  market.  The  jobbing  trade  here  is  in  the  hands  of  men  of 
ample  capital  and  first  class  credit,  able  to  buy  as  low  as  the  lowest. 
Their  credit  is  further  strengthened  by  the  fact  that  failures  are  very 
rare,  in  fact,  almost  unknown  among  them.  When  the  Wilmington 
jobber  buys  he  contributes    nothing    to  the  sellers'  margin  of  probable 


CATHOLIC   CHURCH. 


loss,  hence  he  obtains  the  lowest  terms,  and  the  advantages  thus 
derived  is  shared  with  his  customers.  In  a  general  way  it  may  be  said 
of  the  wholesale  trade  of  Wilmington,  that  it  now  occupies  all  the  ter- 
ritory to  which  it  is  rightfully  entitled,  and  in  addition  is  stretching 
out  for  new  fields  to  conquer,  and  is  encroaching  now  to  quite  an  ex- 
tent upon  territory  formerly  controlled  by  other  centers.  The  mer- 
chandise brokers  and  manufacturers'  agents  constitute  an  important 
adjunct  to  the  wholesale  grocery  and  provision  trades,  and  also  do 
good  business  and  transact  important  operations.  In  reference  to  the 
wholesale  business  of  the  city,  we  should  mention  the  trade  transacted 
here  in  peanuts.  These  are  grown  in  this  section  and  sold  to  the  deal- 
ers here,  cleaned  and  polished,  and  in  some  cases  are  shelled,  and  ship- 
ped to  all  parts  of  the  country.  There  are  three  varieties  handled: 
The  North  Carolina  peanut,  the  Virginia  and  the  Spanish.  The  first 
named  is  highly  esteemed,  being  very  close  and  full  of  meat,  though 
rather  smaller  than  the  others.  There  are  about  a  half  dozen  houses 
here  which  give  special  attention  to  this  business,  although  there  are  a 


THE  CITY  OF  WILMINGTON. 


*3 


large  number  who  buy  and  sell  the  products  as  a  side  line.  About 
133,000  bushels  of  peanuts  were  shipped  from  this  city  during  the 
year  1901. 

Wilmington  has  for  many  years  been  known  as  the  leading  mar- 
ket for  naval  stores.  Shipments  are  made  from  here  to  all  parts  of  the 
country  and  abroad.  A  number  of  important  houses  are  engaged  in 
the  business  here.  The  sources  of  supply  of  late  years  have  not  been 
as  prolific  as  heretofore,  but  the  industry  is  still  a  highly  important 
one. 

The  Retail  Trade, 

The  surrounding  country  for  a  large  radius,  and  including  a  number 
of  towns  and  villages  of  more  or  less  note,  is  practically  tributary  to 
this  city  in  most  of  its  lines  of  retail  business.  Besides  this,  Wilming- 
ton the  principal  city  in  an  important  range  of  agricultural  territory 
is  the  natural  market  for  the  products  of  this  region,  thus  a  large 
amount  of  trade  is  drawn  here  to  swell  the  aggregate  of  retail  business. 


JEWISH  SYNAGOGUE. 

The  trade,  as  a  rule,  is  conducted  by  individuals  and  firms  composed  of 
men  of  enterprise,  experience  and  integrity.  The  stocks  will  compare 
well  with  any  other  place  of  equal  population,  either  in  character  or 
extent,  and  in  prices.  The  stores  are  well  arranged,  lighted  generally 
by  the  electric  light  or  the  incandescent  gas  system,  and  many  of  them 
have  modern  plate  glass  fronts,  and  'all  up-to-date  facilities  and  con- 
veniences. This  is  the  rule,  to  which  there  are  few  exceptions.  A 
considerable  number  of  the  retail  enterprises  here,  combine  an  import- 
ant wholesale  business  with  their  retail  transactions. 


24 


THE  CITY  OF  WILMINGTON. 


The  Port  of  Wilmington* 

Wilmington  is  well  known  among  the  Southern  ports  of  the  At- 
lantic coast  line  of  North  America,  achieving  a  prominent  place 
as  long  ago  as  the  beginning  of  the  past  century.  The  calamities  of 
war  and  the  enlargement  of  sea-going  vessels,  requiring  deeper  water 
than  it  could  offer,  reduced  it  for  a  time  in  importance.  But  the  en- 
terprise of  its  merchants  and  the  successful  work  of  the  government 
have  completely  removed  the  retraints  on  its  commerce,  but  there  is 
still  room  for  deeper  water,  and  there  is  every  reason  to  hope  that  the 
facilities  will  be  still  further  enhanced  in  the  near  future.  The  deep- 
est draft  a  vessel  could  draw  in  ante-bellum  days  was  ten  to  twelve 
feet,  now  are  often  unloaded  ships  at  the  wharfs  up  to  twenty  feet,  and 


LUTHERAN   CHURCH. 


this  without    detention,  with    the    result    that    the   annual   tonage    is 
steadily  increasing. 

The  following  figures  give  some  idea  of  the  growth  and  develop- 
ment of  the  shipping  interests  of  the  port.  In  1898  the  tonnage  of  sea- 
going American  vessels  entering  and  leaving  this  port  was  106,000 
tons,  62,000  tons  of  which  were  steam  vessels.  Foreign  tonnage  was 
84,817  tons,  of  which  62,000  tons  were  steam.  Total  tonage  for  year, 
190,012  tons.  In  1899,  American  tonnage  120,000  tons,  of  which 
77,000  tons  were  steam;  foreign,  62,476  tons,  of  which  46,052  were 
steam,  numbering  27  vessels.  Total  tonage  for  1899,  182,000.  In 
1900  there  were  129,000  tons  American,  57  steamers,  of  70,000  tons; 
foreign,  36  steam  ships,  aggregating  61,000  tons.  Total  tonnage  1900, 
261  vessels,  amounting  to  212,385  tons.  In  1901,  there  were  234 
American  vessels  of  194,933  tons,  of  which  113  were  steam,  aggre- 
gating 145,150  tons.  Foreign,  vessels  of  80,055  tons,  of  which  40 
were  steamers,  amounting  to  67,027  tons.  Grand  total  for  1901,  307 
vessels    of    274,988     tons.      The    above    refers    to    sea-going  vessels. 


THE  CITY  OF  WILMINGTON. 


25 


Not  only  is  the  beautiful  harbor  of  Wilmington  the  pride  of  the 
city,  and  land  locked,  but  the  river  haven  in  which  the  the  vessels  lie 
close  to  the  wharfs  to  load  and  discharge  gives  to]  them  the  security 
and  smooth  water  of  the  Liverpool  docks.  Towage  and  port  charges 
are  moderate,  and  coal  is  readily  obtainable  and  is  not  exhorbitant. 
The  port  is  connected  with  New  York  by  a  regular  line  of  steamers, 
and  another  line  is  contemplated  and  will  probably  soon  be  in  opera- 
tion. Two  rivers  meet  near  to  the  city  and  there  are  a  number  of 
steamboats  plying  between  various  places  along  the  shores  of  the  Cape 
Fear  and  the  ocean  and  sound,  the  Merchants'  and  Fanners'  Steam- 
boat Co.  and  the  Cape  Fear   Steamboat    and    Transportation  Co.  from 


HIGH   SCHOOL. 

Wilmington  to  Fayetteville,  and  the  Wilmington,  Carolina  and  South- 
port  Stemboat  Line  from  Wilmington  to  Southport,  and  all  lower  Cape 
Fear  landings.  There  is  also  a  line  of  steamboats  running  to  Little 
River,  S.  C.  From  the  compresses  are  dispatched  many  steamships 
to  all  parts  of  Europe,  and  sailing  vessels  of  all  kinds  carry  cargoes  of 
lumber,  naval  stores,  etc.,  to  various  ports  of  the  old  and  new  world, 
and  in  lumber,  notably,  to  the  West  Indies,  Central  and  South 
America. 

Wilmington's  Public  Schools* 

In  Wilmington,  as  elsewhere  in  the  most  advanced  of  Southern, 
equally  with  Northern  and  Eastern  cities,  the  first  attempts  at  univer- 
sal and  common  education  were  of  rather  a  desultory  character.  Prior 
to  1869  the  city  did  not  own  a  single  public  school  building,  but  today 
the  school  property  is  worth  but  little  short  of  $200,000,  and  the  facil- 
ities for  public  education  are  not  elsewhere  equaled  in  the  State,  and 
are  surpassed  in  no  other  city  of  the  same  population  in  the  entire 
country.  Although,  at  the  outset,  there  were  lapses  and  delays  due  to 
the  war  and  other  causes,  the  genius  of  the  American  desire  for 
progress  overcame  all  obstacles,  and  enlightment  has  won  its  way  with 
a  step,  sometimes  temporarily  checked,  but    ever  resolute    in    its  aim 


26 


THE!  CITY  OF  WILMINGTON. 


and  march.  There  are  now  at  Wilmington  a  High  School,  four 
schools  for  white  children  and  three  for  the  colored  children.  In 
the  grammar  schools  the  course  includes  spelling,  reading,  writing, 
languages  and  composition,  arithmetic,  geography,  history,  science, 
vocal  music,  English  grammar  and  physiology.  In  the  High  School 
are  taught  arithmetic,  algebra,  trigonometry,  Latin,  science,  English, 
literature,  rhetoric,  physiology,  history  and  spelling. 

No  county  in  the  State  has   any  better  system  of   country  schools 
than  this  county.      There  are  enough  schools  so  distributed  as  to  place 


2 

AiiiH              ■ 

\MBmJmm'   < 

:  '''■'         '^         •       '■-.-.'' 
—     ;i  ■'"■            >•  ■..                       •    :           ""'~; 

'■■-■'■--  -«2«— — '•" 

l9 

" 

MASONIC   TEMPLE. 

every  child  within  a  reasonable  distance  of  a  good  school.  As  is  the 
case  in  nearly  every  city  in  the  South  the  colored  schools  are  particu- 
larly well  attended.  The  negroes  display  a  great  eagerness  for  educa- 
tion. It  has  been  the  policy  of  the  board  to  employ  colored  teachers 
for  colored  schools.  The  percentage  of  attendance  to  enrollment  ranks 
high  among  both  white  and  colored.  There  are  in  addition  to  the 
public  schools  a  number  of  private  educational  establishments,  among 
which  must  not  be  omitted  that  over  which  the  Catholic  Church  au- 
thorities exercise  jurisdiction.  Altogether  the  educational  facilities 
of  the  city  and  county  will  compare  with  any  locality  in  the    country. 


THE:  CITY  OF  WILMINGTON 


27 


Churches  and  Charitable  Institutions* 

The  population  of  Wilmington  is  essentially  a  church-going  peo- 
ple. All  leading  denominations  are  represented  and  all  the  places  of 
worship  are  well  attended  and  prosperous.  There  are  about  twenty 
churches  in  the  city  for  white  people,  divided  as  follows:  One  Advent 
Christian  Church,  three  Baptist,  one  Roman  Catholic,  four  Episcopal, 
one  Jewish  Synagogue,  one  Lutheran,  four  Methodist,  three  Presby- 
terian and  one  Seamens'  Bethel.  The  colored  citizens  have  thirteen 
churches  of  various  denominations.  The  Young  Men's  Christian  As- 
sociation have  a  handsome  building  along  the  line  of  the  principal 
thoroughfare  of  the  city,  where  visitors  to  Wilmington  are  always  wel- 
come. 


■lit 


Y.    M.    C.    A.    BUILDING. 


Wilmington  has  made  generous  provision  for  the  sick  and  needy. 
All  the  churches  maintain  some  organization  for  the  relief  of  human 
want,  and  the  United  Charities  Association  endeavors  to  afford  relief  to 
applicants.  There  is  also  a  similar  organization  for  the  relief  of  the 
colored  poor.  This  is  officered  and  administered  by  their  own  officials, 
its  main  support,  however,  being  furnished  by  their  white  friends  in 
Wilmington.  In  addition  there  are. here  provided  a  number  of  institu- 
tions whose  mission  is  a  noble  one.  We  allude  in  this  connection  to 
the  James  Walker  Memorial  Hospital,  the  United  States  Marine  Hos- 
pital, the  Society  for  the  Prevention  of  Cruelty  to  Children  and  Ani- 
mals, the  Catherine  Kennedy  Home  for  indigent  and  aged  women,  etc. 
Private  charity  is  ever  active  among  our  well-to-do  citizens,  and  the 
really  worthy  never  have  a  deaf  ear  turned  towards  them. 


28 


THE  CITY  OF  WILMINGTON. 


Societies,  Etc* 

The  citizens  of  this  city  are  a  gregarious  and  sociable  community. 
They  organize  themselves  into  societies  of  every  sort  for  social  and 
benevolent  purposes.  Masonic,  Odd  Fellows  and  a  variety  of  other 
worthy  and  useful  organizations  abound,  and  thus  the  people  keep 
themselves  preserved  from  the  rusting  influence  of  selfishness  and 
asceticism.  There  are  here  three  lodges  of  F.  &  A.  M.,  a  Chapter 
Royal  Arch  Masons,  a  Council  Royal  and  Select  Masters,  a  Command- 


KLKS'   TKMPLE. 

ery  Knights  Templar,  the  Grand  Chapter  Royal  Arch  Masons,  of  North 
Carolina,  and  the  Grand  Commandery  Knights  Templar,  of  North 
Carolina.  There  are  three  lodges  Knights  of  Pythias,  six  lodges  I.  O. 
O.  F.,  a  B.  P.  Order  Elks,  and  lodges  of  Red  Men,  Royal  Arcanum, 
Woodmen  of  the  Word,  Heptasophs,  Knights  of  Honor,  Druids, 
Mystic  Circle,  etc.  The  Jewish  orders  of  B'nai  B'rith  and  Kesher 
Shel  Barzil  are  also  represented.  There  are  also  military  organiza- 
tions, social  clubs,  yacht  clubs,  golf  clubs,  German  clubs,  society 
clubs  and  cotillion  clubs  for  the  younger  people. 


THE   CITY   OF  WILMINGTON.  29 


Summer  Resorts* 

In  the  way  of  healthful  and  pleasant  summer  resorts,  Wilmington 
is  particularly  well  bleased.  First,  we  will  mention  Wrightsville,  on 
the  mainland,  facing  Wrightsville  Sound,  a  continuation  of  Pamlico 
Sound.  Wrightsville  is  the  Carolinas'  great  summer  attraction  and 
breathing  ground,  invigorating  and  recuperative  in  every  respect.  It 
is  reached  from  Wilmington,  from  which  it  is  a  distance  of  about  eight 
miles,  by  a  splendid  shell  road  and  also  by  the  Wilmington  and  Sea- 
coast  Railroad.  Along  the  Sound  are  numerous  cottages,' owned  prin- 
cipally by  Wilmington  citizens.  Here,  also,  is  the  Atlantic  View- 
Hotel,  which  is  well  kept  and  popular.  This  house  is  within  100  feet 
of  the  depot  and  at  the  terminus  of  the  turnpike  road.  The  bathing 
here  is  very  safe,  being  in  still  water. 

Crossing  the  Sound  from  Wrightsville,  a  distance  of  about  a  mile, 
is  a  strip  of  land  known  as  Wrightsville  Beach.  Here  are  over 
100  cottages  and  the  Wrightsville  Beach  Hotel,  a  detailed  description 
of  which  is  here  appended.  The  Carolina  Yacht  Club,  one  of  the 
oldest  yacht  clubs  in  the  country,  is  located  here.  There  is  also  a  new- 
yacht  club  at  Wrightsville  Beach,  called  the  Atlantic  Club,  the  mem- 
bers of  which  are  mostly  young  men  of  this  city . 

Carolina  Beach  is  about  fifteen  miles  below  Wilmington,  and  is 
reached  by  the  steamer  "Wilmington.  "  At  Carolina  Beach  pier,  a  short 
line  of  railroad  connects  the  steamer  with  the  Beach.  Carolina  Beach 
is  the  head  of  the  Sound.  Bathing  and  fishing  may  here  be  enjoyed 
in  under  the  most  favorable  conditions.  Here,  also,  is  the  Hanover 
Seaside  Club,  whose  members  are  principally  German  citizens. 

Sea  Shore  Hotel* 

Wilmington  specially  favored  by  nature  in  regard  to  climate  and 
agreeable  surroundings  is  in  no  respect  more  so  than  by  the  proximity 
of  Wrightsville  Beach  and  the  Sea  Shore  Hotel.  This  is  situated  eight 
miles  from  the  city  and  is  accessible  by  railroad  at  the  present  time, 
and  furthermore,  will  very  soon  be  connected  with  the  city  by  the 
electric  road.  The  hotel  is  a  handsome  structure,  replete  with  every 
modern  convenience  and  comfort.  There  are  110  sleeping  apartments, 
well  fnrnished,  cool  and  comfortable.  The  dining-room  has  a  capacity 
for  the  seating  of  200  guests,  and  the  tables  are  bountifully  spread 
with  all  the  substantials  and  delicacies  which  this  prolific  market  af- 
fords. The  sanitary  arrangements  are  of  the  best  and  thoroughly  up- 
to-date.  The  location  of  the  hotel,  a  mile  distant  from  the  mainland, 
ensures  freedom  from  mosquitoes,  which  practically  cannot  exist  here, 
there  being  no  stagnant  water  adjacent  to  afford  them  breeding  ground. 
Only  artesian  water  is  used  for  drinking  and  cooking  purposes,  and  the 
situation  is  eminently  a  healthful  one,  entirely  free  from  any  trace  of 
prevailing  sickness  or  contagion.  Every  attraction  is  furnished  by  the 
management  to  make  a  stay  at  this  hotel  pleasant  and  agreeable.  The 
invigorating  breezes  of  Old  Father  Ocean  here  have  full  play,  boating 
fishing  and  bathing  may  be  enjoyed  under  the  safest  conditions,  the 
beach  being  among  the  safest  along  the  entire  Atlantic  coast.  We 
mav  mention  in  connection  with    the    bathing    that    each  bathroom  is 


3o  THE  CITY  OF  WILMINGTON. 


furnished  with  individual  fresh  water  sprinklers.  All  sorts  of  enter- 
tainments are  organized  during  the  season  to  amuse  the  guests,  not 
the  least  of  which  is  the  celebrated  Hollowbush  Orchestra,  of  eight 
pieces,  which  is  retained  during  the  entire  season,  which  opens  June 
1st.,  and  continues  until  the  end  of  the  heated  term.  Billiards,  pool 
and  ten-pin  alleys  are  connected  with  the  hotel,  and  nightly  dances  pre- 
vail. The  patronage  of  the  hotel  comes  from  all  parts  of  the  South, 
and  those  who  have  experienced  the  comforts  of  a  stay  at  this  hotel 
generally  come  again,  there  being  no  better  or  more  delightful  summer 
home  in  this  locality.  Mr.  Joe  H.  Hinton,  the  manager,  is  a  gentle- 
man who  has  every  experience  of  the  hotel  business,  who  knows  how 
to  make  his  guests  happy  and  comfortable. 

The  Chamber  of  Commerce* 

The  Chamber  of  Commerce,  of  Wilmington,  was  instituted  in  1853 
for  the  purpose  of  promoting  the  active  and  enterprising  commerce  of 
the  city.  It  is  also  its  object  to  act  as  an  honest  mediator  in  all  mat- 
ters of  dispute  and  difference  of  opinion  among  its  members,  and  gen- 
erally to  foster  good  will  between  citizens  of  the  community.  It  also 
takes  vigorous  action  to  advance  the  welfare  of  the  city  and  section, 
and  to  make  known  and  to  advertise  abroad  its  resources  and  advan- 
tages. It  furthermore  strives  to  maintain  a  constant  and  watchful  care 
of  the  rights  and  interests  of  the  city,  and  also  to  correct  business  evils 
and  reverse  impediments  to  progress.  It  extends  courtesy  to  the 
stranger  and  visitor,  who  will  be  made  welcome  at  its  headquarters. 
Its  executive  officers  for  the  current  year  are:  M.  W.  Jacobi,  presi- 
dent; Thos.  D.  Meares,  first  vice-president;  Geo.  R.  French,  second 
vice-president,  and  John  L,.  Cantwell,  secretary  and  treasurer.  All  en- 
quiries relative  to  the  city  of  Wilmington  and  its  advantages  may  be 
addressed  to  the  secretary,  who  will  cheerfully  furnish  all  information 
and  details  on  the  subject. 

The  Wilmington  Produce  Exchange* 

The  Wilmington  Produce  Exchange  is  an  organization  of  much 
utility  to  the  trade  interests  of  the  city.  It  collects  and  compiles  val- 
uable business  information  relative  to  the  trade  of  Wilmington,  and  we 
are  indebted  to  the  courtesy  of  the  secretary,  Col.  John  L.  Cantwell, 
for  a  number  of  the  facts  and  figures  published  in  this  work.  Among 
other  of  its  functions  are  the  adjustment  of  misunderstanding  between 
members,  and  establishing  valuable  rules  relative  to  trade,  such  as  the 
collection  cf  accounts,  as  to  quality  of  merchandise,  receiving  and  de- 
livering of  cargoes,  and  generally  to  look  after  the  interests  of  the 
wholesale  grocery,  cotton,  produce  and  provision  trades.  The  market 
prices  current  are  daily  fixed  by  the  various  committees  and  are  ac- 
cepted generally  by  the  trade.  The  exchange  is  in  direct  connection 
by  wire  with  the  leading  exchanges  of  the  country,  with  which  it 
is  in  close  correspondence  and  affiliation.  The  officers  of  the  Wil- 
mington Produce  Exchange  are  :  P.  Pearsall,  president;  J.  H.  Chad- 
bourn,  Jr.,  vice-president,  and  John  L.  Cantwell,  secretary  and  treas- 
urer. 


THE  CITY  OF  WILMINGTON. 


3i 


The  Merchants'  Association. 

This  organization  also  is  of  a  useful  character,  having,  to  some  ex- 
tent, the  same  object  in  view  as  the  Chamber  of  Commerce.  Its  mem- 
bers, however,  are  comprised  more  among  the  retail  business  men  of 
the  city,  than  the  older  organization.  Its  object  is  to  foster  the  trade, 
commerce,  manufactures  and  other  interests  of  the  locality,  to  reform 
abuses,  promote  new  enterprises,  protect  its  members  from  dishonest 
traders,  settle  differences  and  promote  good  fellowship  and  friendly  in- 
tercourse. The  methods  employed  by  the  association  are  such  as  have 
been  profitably  adopted  elsewhere,  and  have  met  with  a  gratifying 
measure  of  success  here.  The  executive  officers  of  the  Merchants'  As- 
sociation are:  Win.  E.  Springer,  president;  Chas.  M.  Whitlock  and 
J.  H.  Thomas,  vice-presidents,  and  P.  Heinsberger,  secretary  and  treas- 


MR,    C.    C.    COVINGTON'S,    RESIDENCE. 

urer.      Enquiries  regarding  the  city  addressed  to  the  secretary  will  also 
be  met  with  prompt  courtesv  and  attention. 

Summary. 

There  can  be  no  doubt  by  any  one  who  takes  note  of  the  steady 
and  continued  growth  which  Wilmington  has  made,  as  to  its  assured 
progress  and  successful  advancement.  Situated  as  the  city  is,  upon  one 
of  the  most  safe  and  accessible  of  harbors,  with  a  climate  that  is  as 
near  perfection  throughout  the  entire  year  as  can  be  found,  permitting 
the  carrying  on  of  every  branch  of  business  without  cessation  or  incon- 
venience, and  surrounded  by  fertile  lands,  upon  which  are  established 
farms  and  truck  gardens,  which  are  famous,  and  which  yield  abundant 
and  choice  food  supplies.  Fish,  oysters  and  other  products  of  the  river 
and  sea  are  plentifully  obtained  only  just  without  the  city's  limits, 
and,  with  no  important  exception,  nearly  every  class  of  food  is  as 
abundant  and  as  cheap  as  in  any  other  part  of  the  United  States. 

Wilmington  today  bids  fair  to  go  ahead  rapidly  and  it  must  neces- 
sarialy  share  in  the  growing  prosperity  and  advancement  of  the  South. 
Its  natural  resources  were    at    no   time   better    supplemented  by  its  ac- 


32 


THE  CITY  OF  WILMINGTON. 


quired  advantages  than  they  are  today,  and  the  opportunities  to  inaug- 
urate new  undertakings  and  obtain  homes,  occupation  and  content- 
ment are  here  open  to  all.  The  city  is  the  center  of  intellectual  vigor, 
with  a  past  full  of  interest,  a  present  full  of  earnestness,  and  a  future 
full  of  promise.  Wilmington  presents  many  attractions  to  the  tourist, 
the  patriot  and  the  statesman,  the  business  man  and  the  wage  earner, 
and  more  important  than  all    to    that  most  practical  of  philanthropist, 


MR.    WM.    H.    SPRUNT'S    RESIDENCE. 

the  enterprising  business  man  and  home  seeker,  looking  for  a  location 
in  which  to  establish  a  productive  industry.  The  time  should  not  be 
far  distant  when  the  25,000  population  of  Wilmington  shall  be  doubled, 
and  perhaps  tripled,  and  when  of  the  entire  Atlantic  South  coast  cities 
she  shall  be  among  the  first  of  its  important  centers  of  production  and 
distribution. 


The  City  of  Wilmington, 

North  Carolina. 


Its  Leading  Industries  and  Principal  Mercantile  Establishments,  with 
Sketches  of  their  Foundation,  History  and  Progress 
and  Notes  on  the  Character  and  Extent 
of  their  Operations* 


THE  WORTH  COMPANY, 
Wholesale  Grocers,  and  Cotton  and  Naval  Stores,  1  Grace  Street, 

The  enterprise  now  under  comment  dates  its  establishment  back  to 
about  the  year  1S50,  when  it  was  founded  by  T.  C.  and  B.  G.  Worth. 
Subsequent  changes  of  style  later  transpired,  the  linn  titles  adopted  be- 
ing Worth  &  Daniel,  D.  G.  Worth  and  Worth  &  Worth.  The  date  of 
the  latter  copartnership  was  about  1870,  and  finally,  in  the  year  1899, 
incorporation  took  place,  the  title  adopted  being  The  Worth  Company. 
Mr.  B.  G.  Worth,  one  of  the  original  founders  of  the  business,  still  pre- 
sides at  the  head  of  its  affairs  and  Mr.  C.  W.  Worth,  as  manager,  is 
associated  with  him  in  the  conduct  of  the  enterprise.  The  premises 
occupied  comprise  several  buildings  utilized  as  store  and  warehouses, 
and  a  wharf  covering  a  considerable  area  and  affording  the  very  best  of 
facilities  for  the  receipt  and  shipment  of  goods,  there  being  both  water 
and  railroad  direct  conveniences.  The  company  are  wholesale  grocers 
in  the  fullest  acceptation  of  the  term,  carrying  a  complete  stock  of 
heavy  groceries  of  all  descriptions,  such  as  flour,  pork  products,  provis- 
ions, sugars,  molasses,  canned  goods,  coffees,  etc.  Their  connections 
have  long  enabled  them  to  obtain  all  goods  from  the  most  direct  sources 
of  supply  and  their  lengthened  experience  makes  them  familiar  with 
the  minutest  requirement  of  the  markets.  The  company  are  also  com- 
mission merchants  in  cotton  and  naval  stores,  of  which  they  handle 
large  quantities.  These  are  consigned  to  them  from  grocers  and  pro- 
ducers, and  they  invite  consignments,  and  make  liberal  advances  as  re- 
quired. Their  connections  enable  them  to  assure  the  highest  market 
prices  and  prompt  returns.  The  company  transact  a  very  important 
trade  in  molasses,  of  which  they  are  exclusively  direct  importers,  ob- 
taining their  supplies  from  Cuba,  Barbadoes  and  other  West  Indian 
Islands.  The  trade  of  the  house  extends  throughout  North  and  South 
Carolina  and  Georgia,  where  it  holds  its  own  against  all  competitors.  As 
regards  the  gentlemen  at  the  head  of  the  affairs  of  the  house  we  may 
mention  that  Mr.  B.  G.  Worth,  although  over  eighty  years  of  age,  still 


42 


THE  CITY  OF  WILMINGTON. 


takes  an  active  interest  in  the  business.  He  has  long  been  identified 
with  the  prosperity  and  welfare  of  the  community  with  which  he  has 
been  connected  for  so.  lengthened  a  period.  Mr<  C.  W.  Worth  is  iden- 
tified in  a  number  of  contemporary  undertakings  of  large  interest  to  the 
city.  He  is  a  director  of  the  Atlantic  National  Bank,  the  Carolina  In- 
surance Co.,  the  Underwriters'  Insurance  Co.,  the  Wilmington  Cotton 
Mills,  the  Wilmington  and  Seacoast  Railroad,  etc.  The  company  may 
be  said  to  be  in  every  way  a  leading  representative  of  the  wholesale 
trade  of  this  State  with  a  record  of  half  a  century's  honorable  business 
career,  which  ensures  every  confidence  and  consideration. 

N.  JACOBI  HARDWARE  COMPANY, 
Hardware,  Paints,  Oils,  Builders'  Supplies,  Etc*     10  and  12  South  Front 

Street* 

An  enterprise  which  for  fifty  years   has  formed  .part  of  the  trade 
conveniences  is  entitled  to  prominent  recognition  in  these  pages.      The 


foundation  of  the  enterprise  now  conducted  as  the  N.  Jacobi  Hard- 
ware Co.  were  laid  in  the  year  1856.  In  1809  Mr.  N.  Jacobi  became 
connected  with  the  business  and  in  1888  the  present  title  was  adopted. 
The  business  entails  the  utilization  of  important  storage  and  warehouse 
facilities.  The  company  in  the  first  place  have  a  double  store,  two 
stories  high,  of  the  dimensions  of  60x110  feet,  besides  a  warehouse  of 
two  floors  adjoining  30x50  feet  in  area'  and  another  also  of  two  floors 
33x100  feet.  Thus  every  accommodation  is  at  hand  for  carrying  a 
large  stock,  which  includes  shelf  and  builders'  hardware,  cutlery,  guns, 
sportsmens'  supplies,  ammunition,  stoves,  pumps,  plows,  and  agricul- 
tural implements,  paints,  glass,  oils,  tinware,  roofing,  sash,  doors, 
blinds  and  builders'  supplies  generally.  Particular  attention  is  directed 
to  the  celebrated  Jacobi  Axe,  which  has  withstood  the  criticism  of 
many  years  and  is  now  standard  on  the  market.  The  company  also 
have  the  exclusive  sale  in  this  section  of  Benjamin  Moore  &  Co. 's  New 
York  and  Chicago  paints,  which  for  economy  and  efficiency  are  not  ex- 


THE  CITY  OF  WILMINGTON.  43 


celled.  In  all  departments,  however,  the  stock  has  been  well  selected 
and  being  obtained  direct  from  original  sources  of  supply  in  large 
quantities  is  placed  before  dealers  and  the  public  at  the  very  lowest 
prices.  The  exigencies  of  the  business  entail  the  services  of  sixteen 
assistants,  two  of  whom  represent  the  house  on  the  road  throughout 
North  and  South  Carolina  generally.  The  proprietors  of  the  business 
are  as  follows:  Nathaniel  Jacobi,  Marcus  W.  Jacobi  and  Joseph  N. 
Jacobi,  who  are  among  the  best  known  businessmen  of  the  city.  The 
first  named  is  a  director  of  the  Murchison  National  Bank,  president  of 
the  Mechanics1  Building  and  Loan  Association,  is  a  trustee  of  the  Odd 
Fellows'  Orphan  Home  and  is  otherwise  prominent  in  a  number  of 
fraternal  societies.  Mr.  Mascus  W.  Jacobi  is  president  of  the  Wilming- 
ton Chamber  of  Commerce.  He  is  also  past  grand  master  and  grand 
representative  here  to  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge  of  Odd  Fellows  of  the 
world.  All  of  the  members  of  the  firm  have  taken  a  keen  interest  in 
the  general  welfare  and  advancement  of  the  city  general!}'. 


M.  W.  DIVINE  &  CO., 
Paints,  Glass,  Sash,  Doors,  Etc.,  23  Market  Street. 

One  of  the  most  useful  and  prominent  sources  of  supply  of  this 
city  is  that  conducted  under  the  above  firm  title.  The  business  was 
established  in  1867,  when  it  was  conducted  under  the  style  of  Hancock 
&  Daggett.  Later  Mr.  W.  T.  Daggett  assumed  sole  control  until  1884, 
when  the  firm  of  Divine  &  Chadbourn  was  organized.  This  continued 
until  1866,  when  the  present  designation  was  adopted.  In  connection 
with  the  business  a  store  at  the  above  address  is  utilized,  which  is 
Mr.  M.  W.  Divine's  property.  This  is  a  building  of  four  floor  22x92 
feet  in  dimensions.  It  serves  as  headquarters  for  the  carrying  of  a  very 
large  stock  of  goods,  which  includes  paints,  oils  and  greases,  glass, 
sash,  doors,  blinds,  brushes,  putty,  varnishes,  roofing  paper,  builders' 
hardware  and  painters'  and  builders'  supplies  generally.  Devoting  its 
attention  solelv  to  this  department  of  business  the  house  is  in  a  posi- 
tion to  cater  advantageouslv  to  its  patrons,  as  may  not  be  the  case 
where  the  handling  of  simillar  goods  forms  only  a  small  part  of  a  gen- 
eral business,  In  addition  to  general  lines,  the  firm  are  exclusive 
agents  for  this  localitv  of  the  celebrated  Sherwin-Williams  Co. 's  paints 
made  at  Cleveland,  which  are  known  throughout  the  United  States, 
They  are  also  sole  representatives  of  John  T.  Lewis,  of  Philadelphia, 
linseed  oil  and  white  lead.  The  house  is  the  largest  paint  depot  in 
North  Carolina,  carrying  the  largest  and  most  diversified  stock.  The 
lowest  prices  invariably  are  quoted  and  a  business  has  been  built  up 
which  is  yearly  growing.  The  proprietor  is  M.  W.  Divine,  who  was 
the  senior  member  of  the  former  firm  of  Divine  &  Chadbourn.  Thus 
he  has  been  connected  with  the  enterprise  for  the  past  seven  years  and 
is  thoroughlv  familiar  with  the  requirements  of  this  market.  He  is  a 
native  of  this  eitv  and  was  formerlv  a  civil  engineer  and  was  connected 
with  the  Atlantic  Coast  Line  for  eleven  years.  At  the  present  time  he 
is  also  a  director  of  the  Peoples'  Savings  Bank  and  several  building 
and  loan  associations  and  generallv  takes  an  interest  in  the  city's  ad- 
vancement and  progress. 


44 


THE  CITY  OF  WILMINGTON. 


J.  A,  SPRINGER  &  CO., 
Coal  Wood,  Etc.,  Office,  121  North  Water  Street. 

The  oldest  established  house  in  Wilmington  engaged  in  the  hand- 
ling of  coal,  the  most  valuable  product  of  nature's  secret  laboratory,  is 
that  of  the  above  firm,  which  was  founded  twenty-eight  years  ago  by 
Mr.  J.  A  Springer,  the  senior  member  of  the  present  firm,  which  was 
organized  about  six  years  ago.  The  firm  have,  at  the  above  address 
their  office,  yards   and  coal  pockets  for  storage,  with  a  wharf  frontage. 


These  are  utilized  principally  for  the  retail  departments.  Their  whole- 
sale trade  is  transacted  from  the  Seaboard  Air  Line  wharf,  where  thev 
have  all  conveniences,  including  a  Hunt  elevator,  and  coal  is  here  re- 
ceived in  cargo  and  car  load  lots  and  dispatched  to  destination.  The 
house  has  storage  capacity  available  for  10,000  tons  of  coal,  five  hun- 
dred cords  of  wood  and  about  two  or  three  million  shingles.  The  plant 
also  includes  appliances  for  cutting  and  splitting  wood  for  burning,  in 
which  they  transact  a  large  business.  The  firm  are  handlers  of  an- 
thracite, red  and  white  ash  coal  of  the  best  quality,  which  are  re- 
ceived here  direct  from  the  mines  and  sold  to  the  public  in  quantities 
to  suit,  invariably  well  screened,  free  from  all  impurities  and  of  full 
weight.  All  orders  are  promptly  filled  to  satisfaction.  Messrs.  J.  A. 
Springer  &  Co.  are  also  exclusive  agents  here  for  the  celebrated  Poca- 
hontas steam  coal,  the  best  in  the  world,  and  in  this  they  transact  a 
very  large  wholesale  business,  shipping  the  product  to  all  parts  of 
North  and  South  Carolina  and  Georgia.  The  intimate  relations  they 
enjoy  with  the  first  sources  of  supply  enable  them  to  quote  bottom 
prices  and  to  ensure  the  best  grades  of  the  mineral.  Orders  are  taken 
for  carload  lots,  which  are  dispatched  direct  from  the  mines  to  destina- 
tion without  breaking  bulk.  The  firm  also  deal  in  cypress  and  juniper 
shingles,  of  which  they  always  carry  a  large  stock.  The  individual 
members  of  the  firm  are  Messrs.  J.  A.  Springer,  Daniel  H.  Penton, 
and  Saml.  J.  Springer.  Mr.  J.  A.  Springer  is  a  director  of  the  Murchison 
National  Bank,  Peoples1    Savings    Bank  and  White  Brick  Manufactur- 


THE  CITY  OF  WILMINGTON.  45 

ing  Co.  Mr.  Springer  is  also  the  president  of  the  Independent  Ice  Co., 
recently  established  to  manufacture  ice  in  this  city.  Mr.  Penton  is  sec- 
retary and  treasurer  of  this  new  industry.  All  of  the  firm  give  their 
constant  and  personal  supervision  to  their  business,  over  which  thev 
exercise  the  closest  scrutiny.  The  house  is  eminently  a  leading  ex- 
ponent of  the  trade  resources  of  this  locality,  with  a  reputation  extend- 
ing over  a  quarter  of  a  century. 

T,  J,  GORE, 

Groceries  and  Liquors,  22  South  Water  Street* 

Reflecting  in  this  work,  the  leading  exponents  of  the  business  of 
Wilmington,  our  attention  is  now  directed  to  the  enterprise  of  the 
above  house,  which  dates  its  establishment  to  the  year  1883,  when  it 
was  fouuded  as  Kirk  &  Gore.  This  continued  until  1890,  when  Mr. 
T.  J.  Gore  became  the  sole  proprietor.  The  business  of  the  house  is 
devoted  to  the  handling  of  groceries  and  liquors,  both  at  wholesale  and 
retail.  A  large  country  trade  is  transacted,  largely  with  farmers,  who 
come  to  the  city  and  who  order  by  mail.  The  facilities  of  the  concern 
enable  it  to  offer  to  its  patrons  the  best  quality  of  goods  and  lowest 
prices.  In  liquors  a  large  jug  and  package  business  is  done,  shipments 
being  made  in  this  and  portions  of  the  adjoining  state.  Mr.  T.  J. 
Gore  is  a  well  known  resident,  who  has  worked  up  an  important  busi- 
ness by  means  of  energy  and  application.  He  came  here  from  Bruns- 
wick and  was  formerly  a  farmer  there.  He  is  largely  interested  in  the 
Summer  Hill  Distillery,  four  miles  from  the  city.  A  high  grade  of 
corn  whiskey  is  here  produced,  known  as  Summer  Hill.  He  also  con- 
trols another  distillery  near  Southport,  the  product  of  which  is  similar 
to  the  other.  The  whiskey  made  at  these  distilleries  is  shipped  to 
various  ports,  large  quantities  going  to  Baltimore.  Mr.  Gore  also  owns 
a  farm  on  Town  Creek,  nine  miles  from  Wilmington.  On  this  is 
grown  rice,  about  4,000  bushels  being  an  average  yearly  crop. 


PRESTON  CUMMING, 
General  Wood  Worker,  Water  Street  at  Foot  Dock  Street, 

This  business  was  established  about  two  years  ago  by  its  present 
proprietor,  Mr.  Preston  Gumming,  who  personally  supervises  all  opera- 
tions. The  plant  is  contained  in  a  building  at  the  above  address  and 
includes  cut-off,  rip  and  band  saws,  moulding  machines,  lathes  and 
planing  machine,  and  indeed,  a  complete  and  latest  improved  wood- 
working equipment.  The  factory  is  particularly  well  located  as  re- 
gard shipping  conveniences,  being  adjacent  both  to  the  railroad  and  the 
river.  The  works  are  operated  by  electricity,  which  not  only  is 
cleaner  and  more  convenient  than  steam,  but  it  is  much  safer  as  regard 
fire  risks.  The  building  was  formerly  utilized  for  many  years  as  a 
grist  mill,  but  Mr.  dimming  seeing  an  opportunity  for  an  enterprise  of 
this  nature,  established  his  present  industry.  His  energies  are  devoted 
to  general  wood  working  of  every  description,  including  the  manufac- 
ture  of  caskets,    coffins,    balusters,    mantels,    cornices,  mouldings,  etc. 


46 


THE  CITY  OF  WILMINGTON. 


He  also  saws  logs  to  order,  dresses  and  planes  lumber  to  order.  His 
facilities  enable  him  to  cut  planks  from  eighteen  to  twenty-four  feet  in 
length.  There  is  nothing  in  the  way  of  hard  or  soft  wood  working  that 
he  is  unable  to  perform,  from  building  a  steamboat  to  making  a  mouse 
trap.  His  patronage  extends  within  a  radius  of  100  miles  distant  from 
the  city  and  is  steadily  growing.  Mr.  dimming  also  supplies  hard 
wood  lumber  in  any  quantity  and  size,  black  walnut,  mahogany,  oak, 
ash,  hickory,  pine,  cypress  and  juniper.  Mr.  dimming  buys  and  sells 
old  furniture,  brass  and  iron  andirons  and  curios  of  every  description. 
Man}'  a  time  there  may  link  in  some  old  residence  objects  which  may 
be  deemed  as  rubbish,  by  their  possessors.  By  writing  to  Mr.  dimming 
their  value  may  be  determined  and  he  will  find  a  customer  for  them  if 
they  have  any  antiquity  or  value.  Mr.  Camming  is  a  well  known  and 
enterprising  resident  of  Wilmington.  He  was  born  at  Greensboro,  but 
he  has  lived  in  this  city  many  years  and  has  always  taken  a  keen  inter- 
est in  its  welfare  and  progress. 


NAVASSA  GUANO  COMPANY, 
Manufacturers  of  Fertilizers*    Office,  103  1-2  North  Water  Street* 

Renewing  productive  qualities  of  the  soil   by   means   of   fertilizers 
must  be  accomplished  in  a  judicious  and  intelligent  'way,  and  therefore 


NAVASSA    FACTORY. 

it  will  be  found  advantageous  and  desirable  to  obtain  fertilizers  from 
such  houses  who  have  every  facility  and  experience  in  manufacturing 
according  to  enlightened  and  scientific  principles,  and  who  thoroughly 
understand  the  business.  We  are  glad  to  have  to  chronicle  the  fact 
that  Wilmington  is  the  headquarters  for  an  enterprise  of  this  character. 
The  Navassa  Guano  Co.  was  established  in  1869  and  for  a  third  of  a 
century  it  has  enjoyed  a  reputation  of  the  highest  order  for  the  superior 
character  of  its  products.  The  company  have  an  office  at  103^  Water 
street  and  they  have  two  large  plants  within  a  few  miles  of  the  city. 
One  is  at  Navassa  Station,  Brunswick  count}',  four  miles  from  Wil- 
mington. This  property  has  1600  feet  frontage  on  the  river  and  runs 
back  some  1,000  feet  from  it.      Various  departments  are  utilized  for  the 


THE  CITY  OF  WILMINGTON. 


47 


different  details  of  the  work  and  362  work  people  are  here  given  em- 
ployment. Another  factory  is  on  North  East  river,  two  miles  from  the 
city;  this  is  known  as  the  Almont  factory  and  here  some  250  hands 
are  employed.  Both  plants  are  in  every  way  thoroughly  up-to-date, 
the  appliances  being  of  the  best  and  latest  improved  character,  the 
most  modern  methods  of  scientific  manufacturing  being  utilized.  The 
shipping  facilities  are  particularly  good,  the  tracks  of  the  trunk  lines 
entering  the  works,  opening  up  the  entire  railroad  systems  of  the  coun- 
try. The  river  also  affords  direct  tidewater  facilities  for  receiving  and 
shipping  the  product  to  any  part  either  at  home  or  abroad.  The  capac- 
ity of  the  works  is  as  follows:  At  Navassa  station,  a  total  of  60,000 
tons  of  fertilizers  can  be  annually  manufactured,  and  the  Almont  fac- 
tory can  turn  out  about  30,000  tons  each  year.  The  company  manu- 
facture fertilizers  of  every  description  from  phosphate  rock,  ammoniate 
of  all  kinds  and  potash  salts.      When  we  say  that  they  make  fertilizers 


ALMONT    FACTORY 

we  say  that  they  are  not  mere  compounders  of  ingredients,  but 
that  their  products  are  intelligently  and  scientifically  made,  designed 
for  various  soils  and  for  various  climates.  The  organization  is  a  South- 
ern enterprise,  conducted  by  Southern  people  for  Southern  planters 
and  farmers.  Their  fertilizers  are  manufactured  for  the  production  of 
cotton,  tobacco,  corn,  root  crops  of  all  descriptions,  small  grain,  fruits, 
vegetables,  trucking,  etc.  A  special  fertilizer  is  made  for  strawberries, 
which  has  met  with  pronounced  success  in  this  and  other  localities. 
We  have  not  the  space  to  mention  here  the  various  brands;  neither  is 
it  necessary.  Inquiries  directed  to  the  house  will  be  met  with  most 
courteous  and  prompt  response.  The  reputation  which  the  company 
has  so  long  enjoyed  has  clearly  demonstrated  the  quality  and  value  of 
their  snoods.  Merchants  will  find  them  advantageous  to  handle  inas- 
much  as  the  satisfaction  they  give  insures  a  stead}'  and  steadfast  de- 
mand. The  executive  officers  of  the  company  are:  H.  W.  Malloy,  pres- 
ident; S.  T.  Morgan,  of  Richmond,  Va.,  vice-president,  and  Wm.  L. 
DeRosset,  secretary  and  treasurer;  gentlemen  requiring  no  personal 
comment  at  our  hands.      With    an    experience    extending  over    thirty 


48 


THE  CITY  OF  WILMINGTON. 


years  they  have  brought  the  enterprise  to  a  position  which  ensures 
them  a  wide  patronage,  extending  throughout  North  and  South  Caro- 
lina, Georgia,  Alabama  and   Tennessee,  and  which  increases  annually. 

CAPE  FEAR  LUMBER  COMPANY, 
Manufacturers  of  Rough  and  Dressed  Lumber,  Wilmington,  N*  C. 

In  Wilmington  a  very  important  lumber  manufacturing  and  dis- 
tributing business  is  carried  on,  and  the  most  important  enterprise  of 
the  kind  here  is  that  known  as  the  Cape  Fear  Lumber  Company.  This 
was  established  about  eight  years  ago  and  it  has  since  steadily  devel- 
oped and  increased  its  scope  of  usefulness.  The  posessions  of  the  com- 
pany are  large  and  important.  The  plant  in  this  city  covers  altogether 
an  area  of  about  ten  acres,  upon  which  are  the  saw  mill,  planing  mill, 


storage  sheds,  yards,  etc.      The  mill    is   known   as   a   double-baud   saw 
mill,  the  capacity,  being  about  •24,000,000  feet  annually.      In  every  de- 
partment the  equipment  is  of  the  best  and  latest,  ensuring  perfection  of 
tne  product  and  economy   of  production.      The   company  manufacture 
rough    and   dressed   lumber,  about  fifty  per  cent,  of  their  output  being 
what  are  known  in  the  trade  as  "ones"  and  "twos."      The  facilities  of 
the  house  are  largely  augmented    by    the    fact   that   the   company  own 
vast  timber  lands    in    North    and    South  Carolina,  covering  altogether 
some    80,000   acres.      On    this    property  they    own    and    operate    some 
twenty  miles  of  railroad  which   enables   them  to  convey  the  logs  to  the 
river  and  trunk  line,  whence  they    are  dispatched  direct    to    the  mills. 
The  company  cut  principally  pine,  although  they  also  obtain  from  their 
lands  some  cypress  and  hardwoods.      At  the  mills  in  this  city  some  150 
men  are  kept  busy,  and  in  the  woods   about    200   are   employed  felliuo- 
the    trees  and    preparing    the    logs  for  shipment.      The  facilities  of  the 
company   thus   will    be    seen    to    be    of   the    most  favorable  character. 
They  take  the   logs   from    the    native    forest,  saw,  plane  and    dress  the 
lumber  and  deliver   the  boards   complete   and    ready    for  the  use  of  the 
carpenter  and   builder.      They  are  now  about    to    increase    materially 


THE  CITY  OE  WILMINGTON. 


49 


their  facilities  by  the  addition  of  a  new  planing  mill,  which  will  aug- 
ment considerably  their  ontpnt  of  dressed  lumber.  This  has  been  ren- 
dered necessary  by  the  growth  of  the  business.  The  company  ship 
their  product  to  New  York,  New  England  and  the  Central  States,  char- 
tering steamers  and  schooners  to  convey  it  to  destination.  The  execu- 
tive officers  of  the  company  are  as  follows:  John  F.  Steeves,  presi- 
dent; Bradley  L.  Eaton,  secretary  and  treasurer,  and  John  A.  Arring- 
dale,  vice-president  and  general  manager.  The  two  first  named  gen- 
tlemen are  of  the  firm  of  Church  E.  Gates  &  Co.,  of  138th  street  and 
Fourth  avenue,  New  York,  who  are  the  largest  retail  lumber  dealers  in 
the  metropolis.      Mr.  Arringdale  is  a  resident    of  this  citv   and   devotes 


his  full  attention  and  supervision  to  the  industry.  He  may  be  said  to 
have  always  been  identified  with  the  lumber  trade  and  has  every  ex- 
perience of  its  details.  The  company  with  all  facilities  available, 
equal ly  as  regards  economy  of  production  and  facilities  for  promptly 
filling  orders,  is  in  every  way  in  a  position  to  attract  the  attention  and 
consideration  of  lar^e  consumers. 


A.  L  BLAKE, 
Dealer  in  Peanuts,  128  North  Water  Street, 

The  trade  in  peanuts  is  a  distinctive  industry  of  this  section  and 
very  large  quantities  are  shipped  from  this  city  to  all  parts  of  the  coun- 
try. Mr.  A.  E.  Blake  established  his  present  business  here  October, 
1901,  but  he  has  been  connected  with  the  trade  for  a  period  extending 
over  eighteen  years.  He  now  occupies  premises  at  the  above  address, 
where  all  facilities  are  available  for  economically  carrying  on  the  busi- 
ness. Mr.  Blake  buys  the  peanuts  of  the  growers  in  this  vicinity, 
cleans  them  by  machinery,  and  ships  them  to  all  parts  of  the  country. 
The  variety  of  peanuts  handled  are  North  Carolina,  Virginia  and  Span- 
ish. The  first  named  is  a  small  nut,  but  is  very  full  of  meat  and  is 
generally  esteemed  as  the  best,  especially  in  the  South.  Virginia  pea- 
nuts are  larger  and  are  shipped  North  and  are  sold  to  Italians  and  others, 
and  are  by  them   roasted  and   peddled   in   the   street  and  stores.      The 


5o  THE  CITY  OF  WILMINGTON. 


Spanish  variety  are  shelled  here  and  are  shipped  to  candy  manufactur- 
ers all  over  the  country.  Mr.  Blake  has  every  facility  and  cabers  to  all 
the  above  departments  of  the  business.  By  virtue  of  his  facilities  he  is 
enabled  to  quote  the  lowest  prices  and  to  offer  the  best  quality  of  pro- 
ducts. As  before  said,  he  has  a  thorough  experience  and  entirely  un- 
derstands the  market.  He  is  the  owner  of  a  farm  at  Sloop  Point,  Pen- 
der county,  N.  C. ,  consisting  of  some  three  hundred  acres.  This  he 
now  rents  out,  taking,  however,  a  portion  of  the  product  raised  there. 
On  this  farm  are  grown  corn,  sweet  potatoes  and  peanuts,  the  whole  of 
the  latter  crop  coming  to  his  warehouse  here.  As  illustrative  of  one  of 
North  Carolina's  distinctive  industries,  we  offer  this  brief  account  of 
Mr.  Blake's  business,  which,  although  recently  established,  has  met 
with  a  measure  of  gratifying  success,  which  bids  fair  to  become  perma- 
nent. 

WILLARD  &  GILES, 

General  Insurance  Agency* 
CAROLINA  INSURANCE  COMPANY, 
Carolina  Insurance  Company's  Building,  Princess  Street* 

No  lesson  has  been  more  impressed  upon 
the  minds  of  property  owners  in  important  cen- 
ters by  the  great  fires  that  still  occur,  than  the 
wisdom  of  dividing  risks  through  the  agency  of 
experienced  and  responsible  underwriters  Such 
an  agency  in  this  city  is  that  of  Messrs.  Willard 
&  Giles,  who  have  an  experience  of  many  years 
standing.  The  firm  are  the  authorized  agents 
in  this  city  for  the  following  strong  list  of  relia- 
ble and  well  known  fire  insurance  companies: 
yEtna,  of  Hartford;  Home,  of  New  York;  Con- 
tinental, of  New  York;  ! Philadelphia  Under- 
writers, of  Philadelphia;  Niagara,  01  New  York; 
Sun,  of  New  Orleans;  Virginia,  of  Richmond; 
Royal  Exchange,  of  London;  Union  Assurance 
Society,  of  England;  Northern,  of  England; 
Sun,  of  England  (probably  the  oldest  established  insurance  company  in 
the  world)  and  the  Palatine,  of  England.  This  is  a  list  of  undoubted 
excellence,  ouaranteeing  certain  indemnity  in  case  of  loss,  with  assets  of 
many  millions  of  dollars,  and  Messrs.  Willard  &  Giles  effect  insurance 
in  each  and  every  one  of  them  at  lowest  rates.  The  firm  also  represent 
the  renowned  Mutual  Life,  of  New  York;  the  yEtna  Life,  of  Hartford 
(accident  department;)  the  London  Assurance  (marine;)  the  American 
Surety,  of  New  York;  the  Hartford  Steam  Boiler  and  Insurance  Com- 
pany. The  firm  are  also  general  agents  here  for  the  Carolina  Insurance 
Company,  of  this  city.  This  company  has  a  capital  stock  of  $50,000 
with  a  surplus  to  stockholders  amounting  to  $15,000  and  surplus  to 
policy  holders  aggregating  $65,000.  The  company  have  over  fifty 
agencies  in  the  Carolinas  and    it    has  always  enjoyed  the  fullest  confi- 


THE   CITY  OF  WILMINGTON.  51 


dence  of  the  public.  The  president  of  the  company  is  Mr.  D.  L.  Gore 
and  Mr.  M.  S.  Willard,  of  Willard  and  Giles,  is  secretary.  The  list  of 
directors  includes  the  names  of  a  number  of  the  leading  business  men 
and  capitalists  of  the  city.  The  firm  of  Messrs.  Willard  ec  Giles  was 
founded  in  1883  by  Mr.  M.  S.  Willard,  the  present  firm  being  insti- 
tuted in  1895.  The  present  copartnership  is  made  up  of  M.  S.  Wil- 
lard and  Clayton  Giles,  thoroughly  experienced  underwriters  and  men 
of  business  reputation.  The  senior  member  is  also  president  of  the 
Willard  Bag  and  Manufacturing  Co.  The  operators  of  the  house  are 
not  restricted  to  this  city,  a  considerable  clienleli  being  drawn  from 
surrounding  districts. 

VOLLERS  &  HASHAGEN, 

Wholesale  Provisions,  Cigars,  Etc*    A,  C.  L  Crossing* 

The  transactions  of  this  city  in  grain,  provisions  and  other  staple 
food  products  are  very  large  and  are  annually  expanding.  The  above 
named  enterprise  serves  to  forcibly  illustrate  the  character  and  magni- 
tude of  the  business.  This  enterprise  was  founded  in  1890  and  has 
since  steadily  developed  and  grown.  The  firm  occupy  extensive  prem- 
ises at  the  above  indicated  address,  comprising  a  warehouse  300x30  in 
area.  It  is  admirably  located  for  the  receipt  and  shipment  of  goods, 
the  railroad '.tracks  entering  the  premises,  so  that  goods  can  be  loaded 
and  unloaded  at  the  doors.  The  firm  are  extensive  handlers  of  salted 
meats,  corn,  oats,  hay,  flour,  etc.  They  are  in  direct  connection  with 
the  products  of  leading  packers  and  flour  mills  of  the  West  and  obtain 
their  supplies  under  the  most  favorable  conditions.  Goods  are  ob- 
tained in  car  load  lots  direct  from  the  mills,  elevators  and  packers  to 
destination  without  breaking  bulk.  The  business  of  this  house  in  its 
particular  department  is  perhaps  equal  to  any  other  in  this  locality. 
At  anv  rate  it  is  certain  that  no  similar  establishment  has  better  in- 
ducements to  offer  the  trade.  As  regaids  flour,  the  firm  sell  this  staple 
under  their  own  brands.  Of  these  we  would  mention  "O,1'  a  fancy 
straioht,  "Silver  Corn,"  a  fancy  straight  and  "Stock's  Best,1'  a  fancy- 
patent  flour.  All  of  the  above  are  in  demand  with  the  public  and 
therefore  with  the  trade.  A  special  department  of  the  business  of  this 
firm  is  their  cigar  trade.  Messrs.  Yollers  cc  Hashagen  are  exclusive 
handlers  throughout  North  and  South  Carolina  of  the  celebrated  goods 
made  by  the  former  house  of  Powell,  Smith  &  Co.,  New  York, which  is 
now  merged  into  the  American  Cigar  Co.  Of  these  in  especial  demand 
and  standard  on  the  market  are  "Cuban  Blossom,'1  "Renown,"  "Top- 
ical Twist,1'  and  "Cremos,"  five-cent  cigars  of  the  very  best  quality 
and  of  established  popularity.  The  firm  do  a  very  large  trade  in  these 
and  orobably  sell  about  three-quarters  of  all  cigars  sold  in  this  city. 
The  individual  members  of  the  firm  are  H.  L.  Yollers  and  F.  C.  Hasha- 
gen both  of  whom  are  well  known  business  men.  Mr.  Yollers  is  a 
director  of  the  Atlantic  National  Bank  and  of  the  Wilmington  Savings 
and  Trust  Companv.  Mr.  Hashagen  is  a  director  of  a  building  and 
loan  association  and  generally  identified  with  the  material  welfare  of  the 
city.  The  firm,  with  all  facilities  and  ample  capital,  is  in  every  way 
in  a  position  to  attract  and  hold  its  full  share   of  legitimate  patronage. 


52  THE   CITY  OK  WILMINGTON. 


).  L  TAYLOR, 
Wholesale  Grocer,  North  Water  Street, 

The  wholesale  grocery  trade  of  this  city  is  not  only  of  large  im- 
portance and  magnitude  collectively,  but  it  is  also  represented  by  houses 
of  complete  resources  and  high  standing.  Among  such  should  be  in- 
cluded that  conducted  by  Mr.  J.  A.  Taylor,  who  established  his  busi- 
ness January,  1899.  Since  then  it  has  continued  to  advance,  and  to- 
day transacts  large  and  growing  operations  throughout  the  trade  radius 
centering  in  Wilmington.  In  connection  with  the  undertaking,  prem- 
ises are  utilized  at  the  above  address  in  addition  to  another  warehouse 
for  storage.  The  stock  here  carried  consists  of  a  general  line  of  heavy 
and  fancy  groceries,  including  flour,  provisions,  hog  products,  sugar, 
molasses,  tobacco,  snuffs,  coffees,  canned  goods,  etc.,  procured  directly 
and  advantageously  from  the  leading  manufacturers  and  producers  in 
the  country.  Although  but  three  years  in  operation,  the  trade  have 
realized  that  the  business  policy  of  this  concern  is  based  upon  liberality 
and  fair  dealing  and  to  the  cementing  of  business  relations  once  estab- 
lished. The  proprietor,  Mr.  J.  A.  Taylor,  has  every  experience  and 
familiarity  with  this  branch  of  industry.  He  has  also  always  taken  a 
keen  interest  in  all  that  would  conduce  to  the  welfare  of  the  business 
community.  Mr.  Taylor  is  president  of  the  Wholesale  Grocers'  Asso- 
ciation, of  Wilmington,  N.  C. ,  an  institution  organized  for  the  purpose 
of  co-operation  in  the  trade.  He  is  also  a  director  of  the  recently  estab- 
lished Carolina  Steamship  Co.,  which  is  a  new  freight  line  between 
Wilmington  and  New  York.  The  establishment  of  this  new  enterprise 
is  of  large  benefit  to  Wilmington.  The  institution  of  this  acquisition 
to  this  city's  facilities  is  the  outgrowth  of  the  Wilmington  Tariff 
Association,  of  which  Mr.  Taylor  is  president.  This  association  was 
formed  to  bring  about  a  reduction  of  the  excessive  rates  exacted  from 
Wilmington  merchants  by  the  railroads  and  steamboat  lines  hitherto 
in  operation.  A  committee  of  five  was  formed,  of  which  Mr.  Taylor 
was  a  member,  the  result  being  the  promotion  and  establishment  of  the 
C.  S.  S.  Co.  This  will  probably  bring  about  the  solution  of  the 
much  vexed  rate  question,  and,  only  benefit  can  result  from  the  work 
accomplished. 

CROOM  &  HUNT, 

Grocers  and  Commission  Merchants,  110  North  Water  Street* 

With  the  opening  of  the  present  year  there  was  inaugurated  a  new 
acquisition  to  the  trade  facilities  of  the  city  and  locality.  We  refer  to 
the  firm  of  Croom  &  Hunt,  which  enters  upon  is  career  with  every 
prospect  of  permanency.  The  member,  of  the  firm  individually  are 
Messrs.  Z.  V.  Croom  and  F.  P.  Hunt,  both  young  men  who  possess  a 
thorough  knowledge  of  the  trade  with  which  they  have  been  connected 
from  boyhood.  At  the  above  address  is  located  their  store  and  here 
they  carry  heavy  and  fancy  groceries  suitable  to  the  trade  of  the  city 
and  country  centering  for  fifty  miles  around.  They  cater  to  the  trade 
of  farmers  and  others  and  have  every  inducement  to  offer  in  the  way  of 
fresh  and  desirable  goods  and  lowest  prices.      It  will    be  the  aim  of  this 


THE   CITY  OF  WILMINGTON. 


53 


young  house  to  attract  patronage  by  carefully  considering  the  interests 
of  their  patrons  and  not  only  to  gain  it  but  to  hold  it  permanently. 
The  firm  also  buy  peanuts,  produce,  etc.,  offering  the  best  current  prices. 
We  appeal  to  our  readers  that  they  should  consult  the  terms  and  prices 
offered  by  this  young  firm,  and  visitors  from  out  of  town  would  do  well 
to  pa\-  a  visit  here  before  placing  their  orders  elsewhere.  They  will 
be  met  with  courteous  treatment  and  liberality  in  all  transactions,  no 
doubt  resulting  in  business  relations  botli  of  a  pleasant  and  profitable 
nature. 


ALEXANDER  SPRUNT  &  SON, 
Cotton  Exporters  and  Proprietors  of  the  Champion  Compress  and  Ware- 
house Company,     Office,  Cor*  Front  and  Walnut  Streets* 

We  offer  here  a  few  facts  relative  to  the  enterprise  of  Messrs.  Alex. 
Sprunt  &  Son  and  the   Champion  Compress  &  Warehouse   Company, 


which  was  founded  in  1866.    The  senior  member  of  the  firm  died  in  1884, 

but  the  enterprise  has  ever  since  been  continued  by  his  sons,  Messrs. 
James  Sprunt  and  William  H.  Sprunt,  without  change  of  title.  The 
firm  are  cotton  exporters,  shipping  cotton  from  here  to  Liverpool,  Bre- 
men, Ghent  and  other  European  ports.  The  firm  have  agencies  in 
various  places  abroad  and  their  own  offices  and  staff  at  Liverpool, 
Ghent  and  Bremen.  In  this  country  they  have  their  buyers  at  all  im- 
portant centers  within  the  cotton  belt,  buying  and  shipping  the  staple 
to  Wilmington.  Of  course  the  number  o!  bales  shipped  by  the  firm 
varies  according  to  circumstances,  but  we  believe  a  conservative  aver- 
age would  aggregate  from  225,000  to  250,000  bales  annually.  The 
firm  are  the  proprietors  of  the  Champion  Compress  and  Warehouse 
'Company,  which,  however,  has  been  incorporated  with  the  following 
executive    officers:     James   Sprunt,    president;  W.    H.    Sprunt,    vice- 


54 


THE   CITY   OF  WILMINGTON. 


president;  T.  E.  Sprunt,  superintendent,  and  W.  J.  Woodward,  secre- 
tary and  treasurer.  It  is  safe  to  say  that  the  plant  of  this  company  is 
unsurpassed  for  completeness  and  efficiency.  The. warehouse  buildings 
cover  two  city  blocks,  the  whole  property  giving  420,000  feet  of  floor 
and  dock  space.  The  storage  capacity  permits  of  the  storage  and  hand- 
ling of  25,000  bales  of  cotton  at  one  time.  There  are  here  in  opera- 
tion three  powerful  and  most  efficient  compresses  of  the  latest  improved 
character,  viz:  One  2,000-ton  hydraulic  compress  and  two  2, 000-ton 
direct  steam  compresses.  The  docking  and  loading  facilities  are  of  the 
very  best.  There  are  here  conveniences  for  the  loading  of  five  steamers 
at  the  same  time.  These  steamers  will  average  a  capacity  for  carrying 
about  10,000  bales  each.  The  whole  establishment  is  admirably  sys- 
tematized and  even  in  times  of  pressure,  in  the  height  of  the  shipping 
season  the  work  is  carried  on  as  it  were  automatical}'  and  order  pre- 
vails everywhere.      Every  precaution    is    exercised    against    the  risk  of 


lire,  there  being  a  fire-proof  system  of  automatic  sprinklers  throughout 
and  no  one  is  allowed  on  the  premises  who  is  suspected  of  having 
matches  or  other  combustibles  on  his  person.  An  average  of  about  -300 
men  are  employed  during  the  season  and  the  wages  disbursed  form  an 
important  item  of  the  industrial  assets  of  the  city.  We  might  here 
state  that  Mr.  James  Sprunt  is  British  Vice  Consul  for  Wilmington. 
He  is  also  president  of  the  Seamen's'  Friends1  Society,  an  organization 
which  has  done  much  good  to  the  seafaring  men  who  make  Wilming- 
ton their  port  ol  call,  withdrawing  them  to  a  large  extent  from  evil  in- 
fluences. He  is  also  Commissioner  of  Navigation  and  Pilotage.  Mr. 
William  Sprunt  is  on  the  Board  of  Managers  and  is  a  director  of  the 
City  Hospital,  and  is  also  a  director  of  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  These  gentle- 
men have  always  taken  an  active  interest  in  all  that  tends  to  advance 
the  real  interest  of  the  community.  Referring  again,  for  a  moment, 
to  the  firm  of  Alex.  Sprunt  &  Son,  it  may  be  stated  that  they  were  the 
pioneers  of  the  steam  foreign  trade  of  this  city,  having  chartered  the 
first  steamer,  the  "Barnesmore"  in  1881,  previous  to  that  time  having 
shipped  naval  stores  from  here  in  sailing  ships.  Now  thev  often  load 
five  steamers  at  once,  and  dispatch  in  the  season  an  average  of  one  a 
week. 


THE    CITY  OF  WILMINGTON.  55 


HYDRAULIC  WHITE  BRICK  COMPANY, 
Manufacturers    of    Improved    Brick*     Factory,  Dickenson    Hill.    Office, 

Smith  Building. 

An  enterprise  of  recent  origin  and  one  that  bids  fair  to  be  of  the 
greatest  utility  to  the  city  and  locality  is  that  of  the  above  mentioned 
company.  The  business  was  incorporated  November,  1901,  with  the 
following  executive  officers:  D.  C.  Love,  president;  Andrew  Smith, 
vice-president  and  manager,  and  Roger  Moore,  secretary  and  treasurer. 
The  plant  of  the  company  is  located  at  what  is  known  as  Dickenson 
Hill,  adjacent  to  the  Seaboard  Air  Line  depot,  the  tracks  of  which  en- 
ter the  premises,  giving  the  best  of  shipping  facilities.  The  machinery 
and  appliances  utilized  at  the  works  were  made  especially  for  the  com- 
pany and  are  of  an  improved  character,  the  system  being  known  as  the 
Huennekes  process.  The  bricks  are  made  from  sand  and  lime,  which, 
treated  in  conjunction  with  certain  chemicals  constitute  the  secret  of 
the  process.  The  result  is  the  production  of  brick  which  is  superior  to 
all  other  brick,  inasmuch  as  it  is  very  much  harder  and  absorbs  less 
moisture.  Another  point  is  that  the  bricks  are  read}' for  use  after  mak- 
ing, in  about  twenty-four  hours,  ordinary  brick  taking  from  two  to 
three  weeks  to  dry.  The  brick  will  stand  a  pressure  as  high  as  5,000 
pounds  to  the  square  inch,  whereas  the  best  hydraulic  pressed  brick  will 
only  stand  3,000  pounds  to  the  square  inch.  As  regards  their  impenetra- 
bility to  moisture,  a  test  made  at  the  Pitt-burgh  Testing  Laboratory 
had  the  following  result:  The  brick  was  first  thoroughly  dried  then 
immersed  in  water  forty-five  hours,  frozen  for  four  hours  at  a  tempera- 
ture of  14  degrees,  then  thawed  in  warm  water  twelve  hours,  again 
frozen  to  a  temperature  of  9  degrees  for  three  and  a  half  hours,  then 
thawed  in  hot  water  three  hours,  frozen  to  12  degrees  for  three  and  a 
half  hours  and  finally  thawed  in  hot  water  for  twelve  hours.  After 
submitting  to  the  above  test  in  conjunction  with  the  crushing  test  the 
brick  showed  no  sign  whatever  of  cracking  or  disintegration.  The 
brick  are  made  in  several  shades,  white,  pink  and  dark  gray,  and  also  in 
fancy  designs  for  frontages.  That  these  brick  are  superior  to  all  other 
there  can  be  no  reason  left  for  doubt  and  they  can  be  produced  at  a 
price  little  if  any  higher  than  that  of  a  first-class  grade  of  common 
brick.  They  are  suitable  to  all  purposes  to  which  brick  can  be  applied, 
street  paving  included.  Mr.  Andrew  Smith,  the  manager,  went  him- 
self to  Germany  to  see  this  system  of  brick  production,  and  after  close 
investigation,  decided  upon  organizing  a  company  here.  Mr.  Smith 
has  the  agency  for  the  Southern  States  and  the  sole  right  to  manufac- 
ture the  Huennekes  brick  in  Xorth  Carolina.  The  enterprise  in  this 
city  is  of  great  utility  and  will  render  Wilmington  independent  of  out- 
side sources  of  supply  for  this  class  of  building  material.  Buildings 
erected  of  this  brick  present  a  handsomer  appearance  than  with  ordi- 
nary brick.  The  gentlemen  concerned  with  the  management  and  pro- 
prietorship of  this  business  are  all  men  of  influence  and  standing  in  the 
community  and  there  is  every  reason  to  predict  for  this  new  industry  a 
full  measure  of  success  and  an  enlarged  sphere  of  usefulness. 


56  THE   CITY   OF  WILMINGTON. 


S-  P.  McNAIR, 

Wholesale  Grocer  and  Dealer  in  Fertilizers,  North  Water  Street* 

Among'  the  prominent  houses  engaged  in  the  wholesale  grocery 
trade  here  must  be  mentioned  that  of  Mr.  S.  P.  McNair,  which  was 
founded  in  1881,  and  which  is  now  approaching  well  on  to  a  quarter  of 
a  century's  successful  operation.  The  house  has  recently  taken  posses- 
sion of  new  premises  in  the  new  Atlantic  Coast  Line  warehouse,  North 
Water  street,  which  affords  it  enlarged  facilities  for  the  conduct  of  its 
business.  Here  is  carried  a  full  line  of  heavy  and  fancy  groceries,  all 
offered  to  the  trade  at  lowest  current  prices.  Speaking  of  the  stock 
carried  it  will  suffice  to  say  that  it  includes  everything  suited  to  the 
trade  of  merchants  within  a  radius  of  150  miles  from  the  city,  in  which 
territory  the  house  is  represented  by  two  commercial  travellers.  A 
special  department  of  the  business  is  the  handling  of  fertilizers,  the 
most  reliable  varieties  of  which  are  sold  by  the  house.  Mr.  S.  P.  Mc- 
Nair, the  proprietor,  is  too  well  known  to  the  trade  and  in  the  com- 
munity to  require  any  extended  personality  at  our  hands.  We  may 
say,  however,  that  he  devotes  his  closest  supervision  to  his  business, 
which  a  lengthened  experience  in  every  way  qualifies  him.  Conclud- 
ing we  will  only  remark  that,  from  the  time  of  its  establishment  this 
house  has  done  its  full  share  towards  extending  the  city's  reputation  as 
an  advantageous  source  of  supply  and  its  claims  to  patronage  are  at 
least  equal  to  any  of  its  contemporaries. 

THE  WILMINGTON  IRON  WORKS, 
Founders  and  Machinist:  csA  Dealers  in  Mill  Supplies,   19  and  20  South 

Front  Street, 

An  enterprise  which  for  many  years  has  proved  of  the  greatest  value 
to  the  city  is  that  which  is  now  conducted  under  the  title  of  the  Wil- 
mington Iron  Works.  The  industry  was  instituted  about  forty  years 
ago  as  Hart  &  Bailey.  Since,  subsequent  changes  of  style  transpired, 
the  enterprise  being  known  at  different  stages  as  Hart,  Bailey  &  Co., 
Burr  &  Bailey,  the  Burr  &  Bailey  Co.,  until  about  two  years  ago  when 
the  present  designation  was  adopted.  At  the  above  address  the  busi- 
ness is  carried  on,  the  various  deparaments  being  the  store,  machine 
shop,  foundry,  copper  works,  storage  yards,  etc.  About  fifty  skilled 
operatives  and  others  are  employed  by  the  house.  The  energies  of  the 
company  are  devoted  in  the  first  place,  to  the  handling  of  mill  and 
machinists'  supplies,  carrying  everything  included  under  these  head- 
ings. The  goods  are  obtained  direct  from  manufacturers  and  large 
dealers  in  all  instances  and  are  specially  selected  for  the  requirements  of 
this  section.  The  company  are  also  founders  and  machinists,  and  cop- 
persmiths, having  every  facility  for  the  production  of  anything  to  orda- 
in these  lines.  Their  specialty,  however,  is  repairing  in  which  they 
transact  an  important  business,  drawn  from  the  country  included  ina 
radius  a  hundred  miles  distant  from  the  city.  Their  facilities  in  this 
department  are  complete.  They  have  in  their  emplov  the  highest 
skilled  and  most  intelligent  mechanics,  whose  services  they  retain  per- 
manently.    It  not  infrequently  happens  that  repairs  are  required  at  the 


THE  CITY  OF  WILMINGTON.  57 

shortest  notice,  the  entire  operation  of  a  mill  or  factory  being  dependent 
on  some  portion  of  the  plant  which  has  gone  wrong  and  which  requires 
to  be  immediately  set  right.  In  such  and  similar  contingencies  the 
Wilmington  Iron  Works  are  both  able  and  willing  to  step  into  the 
breach  and  execute  the  work  required  at  the  shortest  notice.  The  com- 
pany's patronage  throughout  this  and  the  neighboring  state  have  real- 
ized the  facilities  placed  at  their  disposal,  and  therefore  have  every  con- 
fidence in  the  concern.  The  company  execute  everything  in  the  way 
of  repairs  from  the  most  trivial  job  to  the  renewal  of  a  complete  plant, 
equally  for  factories,  mills  or  marine  work,  etc.  The  gentlemen  at  the 
head  of  the  enterprise  are  Messrs.  E.  P.  Bailey,  president,  (who  is  the 
nephew  of  J.  C.  Bailey,  the  founder  of  the  business)  and  H.  A.  Burr, 
secretary  and  treasurer,  who  has  been  connected  with  it  for  the  past 
twenty-five  years.  Both  gentlemen  give  their  closest  personal  super- 
vision to  the  details  of  the  work  in  hand.  Concluding  this  sketch,  we 
may  be  permitted  to  say  that  the  enterprise  has  for  many  years  con- 
tributed to  the  welfare  of  the  locality  in  making  it  self-contained  and 
independent  in  this  line. 


HALL  &  PEARS  ALL,  (Incorporated,) 

Wholesale  Grocers  Etc*,  Office  and  Store  Nutt  and  Grace  Sts+t  Storage  and 

Shipping  Departments  between  A*  C  L*  and  S*  A*  L*  Depots* 

The  old  established  and  reliable  house,  known  as  Hall  &  Pear- 
sail  was  originally  founded  in  1869  as  Edwards  &  Hall,  and  in  1875 
the  title  of  Hall  &  Pearsall  was  adopted.  It  was  incorporated  as  a 
stock  company,  January,  1901,  the  name,  however,  undergoing  no 
change.  The  premises  occupied  are  at  the  corner  of  Nutt  and  Grace 
streets  and  they  have  additional  storage  and  shipping  facilities  between 
the  A.  C.  L.  and  S.  A.  L.  depots  with  wharfage,  and  two  docks,  one  on 
each  side  of  the  property.  With  both  direct  water  and  railroad  facili- 
ties, every  convenience  is  at  hand  for  receiving  and  shipping  goods. 
The  firm  carry  a  general  line  of  heavy  and  staple  groceries,  including 
flour,  hog  products,  sugars,  molasses,  coffee,  canned  goods,  tobaccos, 
snuffs,  cigars,  etc.,  and  they  also  handle  country  produce,  grain,  corn, 
peas,  peanuts,  etc.,  naval  stores,  cotton,  etc.,  both  on  commission  or 
bought  outright.  The  house  enjoys  every  advantage  in  obtaining  sup- 
plies. Such,  of  course,  is  implied  in  the  character  and  standing  of  the 
firm,  and  in  every  way  the  interests  of  all  having  dealings  with  them 
are  conserved  in  every  legitimate  way.  The  trade  of  the  house  extends 
within  a  radius  of  about  200  miles  from  Wilmington,  and  two  commer- 
cial travellers  represent  it  throughout  that  territory.  The  gentlemen 
at  the  head  of  the  enterprise  are:  Messrs.  B.  F.  Hall,  president;  Oscar 
Pearsall,  general  manager,  and  Louis  E.  Hall,  secretary  and  treasurer. 
They  have  always  been  identified  and  interested  in  the  industrial  and 
commercial  progress  and  material  welfare  of  the  city.  We  will  not 
further  indulge  in  personal  comment,  but  of  the  house  we  may 
be  permitted  to  say  that  its  standing  and  reputation  during  a  period  of 
a  third  of  a  century,  are  such  as  to  warrant  the  entire  confidence  of  all 
with  whom  it  has  established  business  relations. 


58 


THE  CITY  OF  WILMINGTON. 


L  M,  BEAR  &  CO., 
Wholesale  Dry  Goods,  Notions,  Etc,  Agents   for  Glenham  Mills,   221-7 

North  Front  Street* 

One  of  the  leading  wholesale  enterprises  of 
the  city,  although  not  among  the  oldest  estab- 
lished, is  that  of  Messrs.  I.  M.  Bear  &  Co.,  which 
was  instituted  August  1895.  At  the  above  ad- 
dress is  located  the  store,  the  property  of  the  firm, 
which  is  of  33x110  feet.  It  is  admirably  systema- 
tized and  arranged.  There  is  an  electric  elevator, 
and  each  floor  is  devoted  to  a  special  department, 
under  the  direction  of  a  competent  head.  Goods 
are  received  and  shipments  are  made  from  the 
basement,  which  is  level  with  the  street,  the  back  doors  being  but  two 
hundred  and  fifty  feet  distant  from  the  wharf  of  the  New  York  steam- 
ers, and  are  also  contiguous  to  the  railroad.  The  house  handles  dry 
goods  and  notions,  including   every  conceivable    article,  comprised  by 

these  general 
headings.  The 
firm  are  also 
sole  agents  for 
the  celebrated 
Glenham 
Mills,  whose 
products  are 
standard  o  n 
the  market. 
The  diversity 
and  variety  of 
the  stock  in- 
clude every 
c  o  n  c  e  ivable 
article  suited 
to  the  trade  of 
North  and 
South  Caro- 
lina, to  which 
localites  the 
house  confines 
its  operations. 
The  firm  en- 
jov  the  most 
intimate  rela- 
t  i  o  n  s  with 
m  a  n  u  fac hir- 
ers, importers 

and  first  hands  generally.  The  house  has  an  office  also,  at  93  Frank- 
lin street,  New  York,  where  they  have  a  resident  buyer,  who  is  atjall 
times  on  the  alert  to  obtain    the  novelties  of  each    season  as  readilv  as 


THE  CITY  OF  WILMINGTON.  59 

their  contemporaries  in  the  leading  cities.  A  member  of  the  firm  also 
makes  periodical  visits  to  the  metropolis.  Messrs.  I.  M.  Bear  &  Co. 
have  six  commercial  travellers  constantly  on  the  road.  Mr.  S.  A. 
Woods  makes  his  headquarters  at  Darlington,  S.  C. ,  and  serves  all 
the  territory  adjacent.  From  Asheville,  N.  C,  Mr.  C.  McGill  attends 
to  the  trade  centering  from  that  city.  Mr.  C.  M.  McArthur  travels  the 
Wilmington  and  Weldon  railroad  and  branches,  Mr.  G.  J.  McMillan 
calls  on  customers  along  the  lines  of  the  W.  C.  &  A.  R.  R.,  WT.  N.  & 
N.  and  branches,  and  Mr.  H.  C.  Bear,  a  member  of  the  firm,  devotes 
his  attention  to  customers  along  the  S.  A.  L.  and  branches.  Messrs. 
I.  M.  Bear  and  H.  C.  Bear,  the  proprietors,  are  both  young  men,  full 
of  push  and  ambition,  who  are  fully  alive  to  the  signs  of  the  times  in 
which  they  live.  They  are  prepared  to  place  at  the  disposal  of  patrons 
such  goods  as  are  best  suited  to  the  market,  at  such  prices  as  will  com- 
pare favorably  with  any  of  their  contemporaries,  and  at  the  same  time 
assure  the  prompt  filling  of  orders.  Both  gentlemen  are  prominent  in 
social  circles  at  Wilmington.  They  are  interested  in  the  B.  P.  O.  E. , 
and  Mr.  I.  M.  Bear  is  a  trustee  of  that  society,  and  of  the  Royal  Arca- 
num. He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Knights  of  Pvthias  and  other  org-ani- 
zations.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Reserve  Corps,  Wilmington  Light  In- 
fantry. Mr.  H.  C.  Bear  is  an  alumus  of  the  University  of  North  Car- 
olina, and  at  the  age  of  seventeen  he  left  college  and  became  a  member 
of  the  present  firm.  With  sufficient  capital  at  command,  purchasing 
agents  at  the  centers  of  supply,  and  every  facility  and  advantage  that 
could  be  afforded  by  experience,  credit  and  connections,  this  firm  is 
certainly  in  a  position  to  deal  liberally  and  favorably  with  merchants 
within  the  circuit  of  its  trade  operations. 


WILLIAMS  BROS., 
Wholesale  Grocers,  Etc  16  and  18  North  Water  Street* 

The  transactions  of  the  wholesale  grocers  of  Wilmington  represent 
a  very  large  business,  and  no  city  of  the  same  population  in  the  South 
excels  her  in  the  number  and  high  character  of  the  houses  engaged  in 
this  great  department  of  commerce.  Prominently  identified  with  the 
trade  here  is  the  house  of  Williams  Bros.,  which  was  established  in 
1885  as  Williams,  Rankin  &  Co.,  the  present  firm  being  instituted  in 
1897.  The  premises  utilized  consist  of  a  store  of  two  floors  at  the 
above  address,  which  occupy  an  area  of  70x40  feet,  and  a  three-story 
warehouse  at  the  rear,  forty  feet  square,  used  for  the  storage  of  salt, 
molasses,  etc.  A  heavy  stock,  including  all  staple  articles  in  heavy 
o-roceries  is  carried,  which  is  obtained  direct  from  manufacturers  and 
producers  in  all  instances,  and  generally  in  carload  and  cargo  lots.  The 
interests  of  patrons' are  catered  for  in  every  instance.  One  reason  that 
Wilmington  enjoys  such  an  important  business  in  this  regard,  lies  in 
the  fact  that  the  jobber  here  thoroughly  understands  his  market  and 
knows  exactly  zvhat  is  required  by  merchants,  and  not  only  that,  but 
zvhen  it  is  required.  Outside  competitors  in  many  instances  are  not 
so  scrupulous,  and  often  to  make  a  sale  will  load  up  the  merchant  with 
what  he  does  not  want  at  the  time,  and  thus  cause  him  loss  and  em- 
barrassment.     The  trade  of  the  house  extends  to  about    150   miles  dis- 


6o 


THE  CITY  OF  WILMINGTON. 


tant  from  Wilmington  and  is  represented  on  the  road  by  two  commer- 
cial travellers.  The  members  of  the  firm  individually  are:  Messrs. 
D.  M.  Williams  and  J.  K.  Williams,  gentlemen  two  well  known  to  re- 
quire personal  comment  here.  We  may  state,  however,  that  both  are 
connected  with  the  proprietorship  of  an  important  recently  established 
enterprise,  known  as  the  Coal,  Cement  and  Supply  Company,  of  this 
city. 

&  A.  TUCKER  &  BROTHER, 
Marble  and  Granite  Workers,  310  North  Front  Street* 

The  perfection  now  attained  in  the  above  department  of  mechani- 
cal art  is  strikingly  illustrated  in  the  work  turned  out  by  the  firm  of  H. 
A.  Tucker  &  Bro. ,  of  this  city.  The  house  was  founded  about  a  dozen 
years  ago  as  H.  A.  Tucker  &  Co. ,  the  present  designation  being  adopted 
the  year  following.  Mr.  H.  A.  Tucker  died  September,  1899,  and  the 
business  has  been  continued  by  the  brother,  Mr.  R.  D.  Tucker,  the 
original  title  of  the  house,  however,  being  retained.      At  the   above  in- 


dicated address  are  located  the  office,  sheds  and  yard,  the  whole  being 
furnished  with  all  required  conveniences,  about  twenty  men  being  em- 
ployed, the  majority  of  them  being  skilled  workmen.  The  firm  devote 
their  energies  to  the  production  of  marble  and  granite  cemetery  work 
of  every  description,  stone  work  for  building  purposes,  etc.  The  trade 
of  the  house  is  not  by  any  means  confined  to  this  city,  but  extends 
throughout  North  and  South  Carolina  generally  and  even  penetrates 
further  afield.  Messrs.  H.  A.  Tucker  &  Bro.  have  agencies  at  various 
points,  and  notably  at  Orangeburg,  S.  C,  Kinston,  N.  C. ,  Benson,  N. 
C. ,  Plymouth,  N.  C. ,  and  Clinton,  N.  C.  The  firm  are  also  repre- 
sented by  travelling  agents,  who  submit  plans  and  estimates  and 
take  orders.  The  house  is  the  only  one  of  the  kind  in  the  city  and  the 
leading  one  in  the  State.  Its  facilities  are  of  the  best,  it  has  command 
of  the  services  of  the  highest  grade  of  labor,  and  its  prices  are  based 
upon  moderation  and  fair  dealing.  The  firm  have  executed  much  nota- 
ble work  in  the  State.  Thus,  they  built  a  large  mausoleum  and  family 
monument,  costing  $10,000  for  Col.  K.  M.  Murchison,  the  L.  Vollers 
monument  costing  $2,000,  one  for  Dr.  Love  $500,  another  for  Mrs.  B. 
G.  Worth,  all  in  Oakdale  Cemetery.     At  Bennettville  they  erected  the 


THE   CITY  OF  WILMINGTON.  61 


Dudley  monument  at  an  expense  of  $800  and  the  Weathersby  monu- 
ment costing  $700.  These  are  but  a  selection  of  man}-  hundreds  which 
have  been  put  up  by  the  house.  The  firm  do  an  extensive  trade  in 
stone  for  building  purposes,  and  the}-  are  now  supplying-  the  stone  for 
the  new  Murchison  National  Bank,  now  in  course  of  erection  here. 
Mr.  R.  D.  Tucker  is  a  gentleman  of  practical  experience  in  his  busi- 
ness, with  a  thorough  knowledge  of  the  trade  with  which  he  has  been 
identified  for  twenty-five  years.  The  pride  of  a  house  is  in  it  work  and 
every  detail  is  carefully  overlooked  by  the  proprietor  to  ensure  perfec- 
tion and  artistic  excellence  in  every  instance. 

HILTON  LUMBER  COMPANY, 

Manufacturers  of  Lumber,  Wilmington,  N.  C. 

This  business  was  founded  about  1856  by  Mr.  O.  G.  Parsley. 
Later  the  firm  title  was  changed  to  Parsley  &  Wiggins  and  subsequentlv 
Mr.  W.  L.  Parsley  became  the  sole  proprietor.  Finally,  in  1894,  the 
Hilton  Lumber  Company  was  organized  with  Mr.  W.  L.  Parsley,  the 
son  of  the  founder,  as  president  and  Mr.  R.  A.  Parsley,  his  grandson, 
as  secretary  and  treasurer.  The  plant  of  the  company  covers  about  fif- 
teen acres,  with  17*  '0  feet  frontage  on  the  river.  The  mechanical 
equipment  is  operated  by  steam  of  500-horse  power  capacity.  The 
machinery  and  appliances  throughout  are  of  the  latest  improved  and 
best  character.  The  tracks  of  the  Atlantic  Coast  Line  and  Seaboard 
Air  Line  runs  the  entire  length  of  the  property,  and  ships  can  be  loaded 
direct  from  the  mill.  The  capacity  of  the  mill  is  about  12,000,000 
feet  of  dressed  North  Carolina  pine  and  cypress  lumber  annually. 
About  two  hundred  men  are  given  employment  at  the  mill  and  at  the 
logging  camps.  The  trade  of  the  house  is  largely  in  New  York  and 
New  England,  and  other  Northern  points.  The  company  have  also  a 
factory  for  the  manufacture  of  crates  for  shipping  strawberries,  etc. 
They  turn  out  about  75,000  crates  during  the  fruit  shipping  season. 
The  gentlemen  at  the  head  of  the  enterprise  are  well  qualified  by  ex- 
perience to  conduct  the  business.  Mr.  W.  L.  Parsley  has  been  con- 
nected with  it  since  1870  and  Mr.  R.  A.  Parsley  has  had  about  ten 
years'  experience  of  its  details. 


J,  H.  SLOAN, 

Cotton  Exporter  and  Shipper,  North  Front  Street* 

Wilmington  has  for  many  years  been  identified  with  the  handling 
and  export  of  cotton,  and  both  before  and  since  the  war  its  operations 
in  the  staple  have  been  very  large.  An  enterprise,  which  for  a  length- 
ened period  has  been  crosely  connected  with  the  industry  is  that  which 
is  now  conducted  under  the  proprietorship  of  Mr.  J.  H.  Sloan.  The 
business  is  the  outgrowth  of  a  very  old  established  concern,  which,  we 
believe,  dates  back  almost  to  the  first  decade  of  the  last  century,  hav- 
ing been  started  in  1811  by  Mr.  Jesse  Cleveland,  but  it  will  only  be 
required  of  us  to  allude  to  it  subsequent  to  the  year  1880,  when  the 
firm  of  Parratt  &  Sloan  was  instituted.  In  1882  the  title  of  the  house 
was  J.  H.  Sloan  &  Co.  In  1886  it  became  Walker,  Flemming  & 
Sloan,  and   finally,  in  1891,  Mr.  J.  H.  Sloan  assumed  the  sole  control. 


62  THE  CITY  OF  WILMINGTON 


The  energies  of  the  house  are  devoted  to  the  handling  of  cotton,  both 
for  home  demand  and  for  export.  The  headquarters  of  the  business 
are  in  the  city,  but  the  concern  has  branch  establishments  in  various 
parts  of  the  cotton  belt  where  cotton  is  collected,  compressed  and  ship- 
ped. Here  it  has  every  facility.  The  compress  is  conveniently  located, 
in  direct  connection  with  the  railroad  system,  and  the  steamers  char- 
tered for  carrying  cotton  to  Europe  load  up  at  the  doors  of  the  ware- 
house. The  house  ships  North  and  South  to  manufacturers  in  this 
country,  supplying  many  mills  with  their  raw  material,  and  transacts  a 
large  European  business,  shipping  to  Liverpool  and  the  Continent. 
Mr.  J.  H.  Sloan  has  for  many  years  been  identified  with  cotton  manu- 
facturing interests  in  the  South.  He  is  president  of  the  Beaumont 
Manufacturing  Company,  of  Spartanburg,  S.  C,  and  is  a  director  of 
the  Whitney  Manufacturing  Company,  of  Whitney,  S.  C,  and  of  the 
Louise  Mills,  of  Charlotte.  He  is  also  a  director  of  the  Merchants'  and 
Farmers'  Bank,  at  Spartanburg,  and  is  a  director  in  the  Loan  and  Ex- 
change Bank,  at  Laurence,  S.  C.  Thus,  it  may  be  seen  that  this 
house  is  entitled  to  be  quoted  as  an  important  factor  in  the  cotton  pro- 
duction carried  on  in  the  South. 

R,  G  DeROSSET,  ~ 

Books,  Stationery,  Etc*,  107  Market  Street* 

It  is  a  pleasure  for  a  while  to  indulge  our  pen  in  speaking  of  a 
business  which  caters  to  the  more  refined  and  aesthetic  tastes  of  the 
community.  We  refer  to  the  establishment  of  Mr.  R.  C.  DeRosset, 
which  was  instituted  here  in  the  year  1899  and  which  has  since  suc- 
ceeded in  building  up  a  reputation  and  patronage  among  the  best 
classes  of  our  residents.  The  premises  at  the  above  address  consist  of 
a  building  of  two  floors,  all  of  which  is  devoted  to  the  business.  A 
large  stock  is  carried,  including  books  of  every  description,  such  as 
the  latest  novels  of  the  day,  works  of  travel,  biography,  history,  gift 
books,  and,  in  fact,  all  current  literature.  Here  also  may  be  obtained 
in  large  variety  and  of  the  best  quality  staple  and  fancy  stationery,  as 
well  as  commercial  stationery,  blank  books  and  forms,  etc.,  also  fancy 
articles  suitable  for  presents,  pictures,  engravings,  etc.,  as  well  as  pic- 
ture frames  to  order  as  required.  Mr.  DeRosset  obtains  his  goods 
direct  from  original  sources  under  the  most  favorable  conditions,  and 
is  alert  to  obtain  all  novelties  as  soon  as  they  appear.  His  prices  will 
be  found  eminently  reasonable,  and  any  goods  not  in  stock  will  at  once 
be  procured  for  patrons  at  regular  prices.  Mr.  DeRosset  has  here  a 
circulating  library,  whereby  the  latest  novels  of  the  day  may  be  read 
by  patrons  at  a  trifling  cost.  This  is  being  always  replenished  and 
kept  up-to-date.  The  house  is  also  agent  for  the  Columbia  phono- 
graphs and  keeps  a  stock  of  records  and  supplies  at  the  disposal  of  the 
public.  This  house  transacts  an  important  mail  order  business  solicit- 
ing enquiries  and  correspondence.  Goods  can  thus  be  bought  by  mail 
upon  equally  as  advantageous  conditions  as  by  a  personal  visit.  Mr. 
R.  C.  DeRosset  is  a  native  of  this  city  and  is  well  known  and  popular. 
Though  but  comparatively  few  years  in  operation,  his  enterprise  has 
taken  a  stable  and  prominent  place  among  the  high  class  sources  of 
supply  of  the  city. 


THE  CITY  OF  WILMINGTON. 


63 


ROBERT  R.  BELLAMY, 
Wholesale  and  Retail  Druggist,  Front  and  Market  Streets* 

Our  purpose   to  properly  represent    the    distributing   facilities  of 
Wilmington  makes  it  our  duty  to  offer  a  few  details  relative  to  the  facul- 
ties and   history    of   this  house. 
The  business  was  established  in 
the  year  1885  upon  a  very  lim- 
ited    scale,     and     it    has    been 
brought  up  to  its  present  impor- 
tant  position    by  enterprise  and 
energy  and    a   thorough   appre- 
ciation   of  the    requirements  of 
this    market.       Air.     Bellamy 
transacts   both   a  wholesale  and 
retail    business.      In    the    latter 
department,  here     may    be    ob- 
tained the  best  quality  and  fresh- 
est of  drugs,  all  standard  patent 
medicines,    toilet    articles,    etc. 
A  specialty  is  made  of  the  prep- 
aration  of  physicians'  prescrip- 
tions and   family  recipes,  every 
care  being  exercised    in  this  de- 
partment.       In     the    wholesale 
branch  of  the  business  the  house 
is   represented    on   the  road    by 
t  w  o      commercial       travellers 
throughout    North    and     South 
Carolina  generally.      The  prem- 
ises occupied,  in  addition  to  the 
store,  which  includes  a  building    of   four  floors,    comprise  a  warehouse 
adjoining,  which  affords  every  facility  for  the  handling  of  a  large  stock, 
which   embraces    everything   included    under    the   terms  of  drugs  and 
chemicals,  pharmaceuticals,  all    the    standard    patent    medicines,  etc., 
and  in  fact,  everything  usually  carried  by  a  first  class  wholesale   drug- 
gist.     Mr.  Bellamy  enjoys  the  most  intimate  relations  with  the  leading 
manufacturers  and  importers,  and  can  furnish  merchants  with  all  their 
requirements  in  this  line  at  lowest  prices.      The  trade  has  long  realized 
these  facts,  and  also  that  being  closer  to  their  base  of  supply  they  can  ob- 
tain their  goods  more  promptly  and  at  decreased  freight  rates,  than  if  they 
were  to  place  their  orders  further  afield.      Mr.  Bellamy,  the  proprietor, 
devotes  his  closest  and  constant  personal  attention  to   the  details  of  his 
enterprise,  at  the  same  time  that  he  has  found  opportunities  to  become 
identified  with  other  interests    of   importance.     He  is  vice-president  of 
the  Delgado  Mills,  a  director    of   the    Carolina  Insurance  Company,  of 
the  North  Carolina  Building  aud  Loan  Association  and  of  the  Wilming- 
ton Sewerage  Company.      In  calling  attention  to  those  classes  of  houses 
which    have   contributed    to    the    building  up    of  Wilmington's   large 
wholesale  trade,  that  conducted  by  Mr.  Robert  R.  Bellamy  is  certainly 
entitled  to  prominent  recognition  in  this  work. 


64  THE  CITY  OF  WILMINGTON. 

D,  McEACHERN, 
Wholesale  Grocer  and  Naval  Stores,  204  and  206  North  Water  Street* 

Prominently  engaged  in  the  wholesale  grocery  trade  here  is  the 
enterprise  of  Mr.  D.  McEachern,  who  commenced  operations  in  1893. 
Since  that  period  he  has  succeeded  in  consolidating  a  business  which 
has  become  permanent  and  which  has  gained  the  favorable  considera- 
tion of  the  trade  generally.  Premises  are  utilized  at  the  above  address, 
which  comprise  two  floors,  and  which  occupy  an  area  of  40x120  feet. 
The  stock  comprises  a  full  assortment  of  heavy  groceries,  such  as 
canned  and  pickled  meats,  corn,  hay,  flour,  sugar,  molasses,  tobacco, 
snuffs,  etc.,  all  of  which  are  derived  direct  from  first  hands  and  origi- 
nal sources  of  supply,  and  are  placed  at  the  disposal  of  the  trade  at  the 
very  lowest  market  prices.      The  trade  of  the  house  extends  throughout 


a  radius  of  150  miles  from  Wilmington,  and  is  represented  on  the  road 
by  commercial  travellers.  A  special  department  of  the  business  is  in 
naval  stores.  Mr.  McEachern  buys  and  sells  these  commodities  and 
also  handles  them  on  commission.  He  invites  consignments  of  the 
same,  making  liberal  advances  as  required,  and  his  facilities  enable 
him  to  assure  quick  sales  and  prompt  returns.  He  carries  a  large  stock 
and  all  orders  are  filled  to  the  satisfaction  of  shippers.  Mr.  McEach- 
ern, the  sole  proprietor  of  this  business,  is  identified  with  a  number  of 
other  interests,  which  have  contributed  in  no  small  measure  to  Wil- 
mington's facilities  and  welfare.  Thus,  he  is  president  of  the  Cape 
Fear  and  Peoples'  Steamboat  Company,  a  freight  and  mail  line,  plying 
between  Wilmington  and  Fayetteville,  and  he  is  chairman  of  the  Board 
of  County  Commissioners.  He  is  a  member  also  of  the  Chamber  of 
Commerce  and  the  Produce  Exchange,  and  may  be  said  to  be  generally 
active  in  all  that  would  contribute  to  the  city's  advancement  and  prog- 
ress. Referring  again  to  the  business,  we  may  say  that  in  all  that  con- 
duces to  the  interests  of  his  patrons,  he  is  in  every  way  active,  assur- 
ing them  every  inducement  in  the  way  of  terms  and  prices,  along  with 
fair  dealing,  and  every  courtesy  and  attention. 


THE  CITY  OF  WILMINGTON. 


DELGADO  MILLS, 

Manufacturers  of  Cotton  Fabrics,  Delgado  Mills,  Wilmington,  N.  C 

Furnishing  employment  to  a  large  number  of  operatives  and  pro- 
ducing goods  of  an  annual  value  of  many  thousands  of  dollars  the  en- 
terprise known  as  the  Delgado  Mills  may  be  regarded  as  one  of  the  im- 
portant pursuits  of  North  Carolina.  The  enterprise  was  established 
in  1899,  but  it  at  once  became  prominent.  The  plant  of  the  company 
and  its  possessions  occupy  altogether  an  area  of  one  hundred  and  one 
acres.      The  works  consist  of  the  main  building  of  two  floors,  248x125 


feet  in  dimensions,  with  engine-room  32x50  feet,  and  boiler  house  30x50 
feet,  attached.  There  is  also  a  dye  house  and  bleachery  160x40  feet, 
besides  storage  warehouses,  etc.  The  mechanical  equipment  is  of  the 
latest  improved  and  best,  and  includes  10,500  spindles  and  424  looms 
operated  by  a  500-horse  power  engine,  and  three  boilers  of  600-horse 
power  united  capacity.  About  350  operatives  are  employed,  and  the 
system  and  order  apparent  in  every  department  are  highly  creditable  to 
the  management.  The  company  own  ninety-seven  tenement  houses 
for  operatives,  and  there  are  also  here  a  church,  store,  large  boarding 
house  and  stables.  The  peaceful  and  thrifty  aspect  of  the  settlement, 
which  has  a  total  population  of  about  seven  hundred  persons,  is  indi- 
cative of  the  contentment  and  prosperity  of  its  inhabitants.  All  safe- 
guards are  duly  exercised  by  the  company  in  the  interest  of  the  em- 
ployees, and  no  intoxicating  liquor  is  permitted  to  be  sold  in  the  village. 
The  products  of  the  mills  consist  of  what  are  known  in  the  trade  as 
madras  and  seersucker  cloths,  made  from  yarn  obtained  from  the  best 
of  Mississippi  and  Alabama  long  staple  cotton.  The  madras  cloths  are 
what  is  known  in  the  trade  as  32-inch  shirting.  These  fabrics  are 
suitable  for  making  shirts  and  ladies'  waists,  and  childrens'  dresses  and 
aprons.  The  goods  excel  equally  in  color,  finish  and  general  desira- 
bility.     The  company  dye  all    their  own  fabrics,  thus  assuring  perma- 


66  THE  CITY  OF  WILMINGTON. 


nence  and  reliability,  and  the  water  used  in  bleaching  is  obtained  from 
a  natural  spring  on  the  property.  The  products  are  sold  direct  to  the 
trade,  thereby  obviating  any  middle  handling,  and  enabling  the  very 
lowest  prices  for  value  received  to  be  quoted.  Correspondence  from 
large  jobbers  is  invited  and  all  enquiries  will  meet  with  the  promptest 
attention.  The  capacity  of  the  Delgado  Mills  is  about  13,000  yards  of 
cloth  daily,  weighing  about  2,300  pounds.  About  1,500  bales  of  long 
staple  inch  and  an  eighth  Mississippi  and  Alabama  cotton  are  annually 
utilized.  The  executive  officers  and  directors  of  the  company  are  as 
follows:  E.  C.  Holt,  president;  R.  R.  Bellamy,  vice-president;  J.  W. 
Williamson,  secretary  and  treasurer,  K.  M.  Murchison,  of  New  York; 
J.  H.  Chadburn,  Jr.,  P.  L.  Bridgers,  E.  J.  Powers,  of  Atlanta;  Samuel 
Bear,  Jr.,  and  John  D.  Bellamy,  Jr.  All  of  the  above  are  residents  of 
this  city  except  where  otherwise  specified.  The  president  and  secre- 
tary give  their  closest  personal  supervision  to  the  details  of  the  indus- 
try. Mr.  Holt  has  other  important  interests  connected  with  cotton 
manufacturing.  In  close  affiliation  with  the  Delgado  Mills  and  under 
the  name  of  Holt's  Mills  are  included  three  cotton  mills  at  Fayetteville, 
N.  C.  and  five  at  Burlington,  N.  C.  Mr.  Holt  is  largely  interested  in 
all  of  these  factories.  Holt's  Mills  have  an  office  at  53  and  55  Worth 
street,  New  York,  in  the  very  heart  of  the  dry  goods  district  of  the 
metropolis.  Holt's  Mills  sell  direct  to  the  trade,  and  produce  madras 
cloths  and  shambreys,  outings,  ticks,  drills,  plaids,  ginghams,  seersucker 
cloths,  cotton  dress  goods,  skirtings,  etc.,  all  of  which  are  of  highest 
standard  quality  produced  economically,  and  in  a  position  to  com- 
pete with  any  similar  fabrics  on  the  market. 


THE  MURCHISON  NATIONAL  BANK, 
North  Front  Street 

The  banks  of  this  city,  like  her  business  enterprises,  are  noted  for 
their  sound,  energetic,  yet  conservative  management,  and  command  the 
entire  confidence  of  business  men  and  capitalists.  Of  them  is  the  Mur- 
chison National  Bank,  which  was  organized  March,  1899,  with  a  capi- 
tal stock  of  $200,000.  The  executive  officers  are:  H.  C.  McQueen, 
president  and  J.  V.  Grainger,  cashier.  With  them  associated  on  the 
Board  of  Directors  are:  K  M.  Murchison,  J.  C.  Stevenson,  Nathaniel 
Jacobi,  M.  J.  Corbett,  T.  M.  Emerson,  J.  A.  Springer,  R.  W  Wallace, 
W.  B.  Cooper,  John  F.  McNair,  and  A.  B.  Nichols,  of  S.  C,  business 
men  and  capitalists  of  prominence,  whose  names  rank  high  as  to  stand- 
ing and  ability.  The  institution  transacts  the  routine  of  a  regular 
national  banking  business,  and  it  makes  collections  through  its  corres- 
pondents in  the  United  States  and  Europe.  These  are:  the  City  Bank, 
New  York,  Hanover  National  Bank,  New  York,  Fourth  Street  National 
Bank,  Philadelphia,  Merchants'  National  Bank,  Baltimore,  and  Brown, 
Shipley  &  Co.,  London.  In  addition  to  the  capital  of  $200,000,  the  bank 
has  a  fund  of  surplus  and  undivided  profits  aggregating  about  $40,000. 
This  is  a  very  good  showing  taking  into  consideration  the  short  time 
elapsed  since  the  establishment  of  the  institution.  The  loans  and  dis- 
counts average  about  $600,000,  the  deposits  averaging  about  $700,000 


THE   CITY  OF  WILMINGTON. 


67 


Very  shortly  after  the  publication  of  this  volume  the  bank  will  be  dom- 
iciled in  its  new  headquarters,  now  in  course  of  erection.  This  will 
consist  of  a  handsome  three-story  building,  constructed  of  brick  and 
stone,  located  at  the  corner  of  Front  and  Chesnut  streets.  The  bank 
will  occupy  the  street  floor,  which  will  be  fitted  up  in  accordance  with 
modern  requirements  in  keeping  with  the  character  of  the  institution. 
The  upper  part  will  be  let  out  for  office  purposes,  and  will,  no  doubt, 
yield  a  lucrative  return.  The  bank  today  stands  ready  to  accord  a 
welcome  to  all  new  enterprises  of  stability,  and  to  render  to  them,  and 
its  old  customers,  liberal  assistance  upon  a  sound  business  basis. 

ATLANTIC  INN,  (European  Plan,) 
Gieschen  Bros,,  Proprietors,  Front  and  Red  Cross  Streets, 

The  business   of  Messrs.    Gieschen  Bros,  was  established  in  1881. 
Their  hotel    is   conveniently    located    in   reference  to  all  railroads,  and 

parties  arriving  or  departing  by 
train  will  find  them  prepared  to 
serve  a  lunch  or  a  meal  at  short 
notice.  They  have  elegant,  airy 
rooms,  and  cater  especiallv  to 
travelling  men.  They  carry  the 
largest  assortment  of  wines, 
liquors  and  cigars  in  the  city, 
and  all  orders  receive  prompt 
and  personal  attention.  The 
proprietors  are:  J.  G.  L.  Gies- 
chen and  H.  Gieschen,  well 
known  residents.  Visitors  to 
the  city  will  note  that  the  house 
is  directly  opposite  the  Atlantic 
Coast  Line  railroad  depot. 


R,  H+  PICKETT, 

Merchandise  Broker,  Atkinson  Building,  North  Water  Street, 

The  wholesale  interests  of  a  commercial  city  such  as  Wilmino-ton, 
owe  much  to  the  energies  and  enterprise  of  what  are  generally 
known  as  the  merchandise  brokers.  Among  such  here,  should  be 
mentioned  the  business  of  Mr.  R.  H.  Pickett,  which,  since  1884,  the 
year  of  its  establishment,  has  been  in  high  and  deserved  repute  with 
the  wholesale  grocery  and  produce  trade  of  this  city.  Mr.  Pickett  rep- 
resents on  this  market  some  of  the  leading  original  sources  of  supply 
of  the  country.  Thus  in  rice,  he  is  agent  here  for  the  Crowley  Rice 
Milling  Co.  of  Crowley,  La.,  G.  T.  Drane  of  New  Orleans,  Bloom  Sons 
Co.,  New  Orleans,  Gordon  T.  Orme  of  Crowley,  La.,  the  Carolina  Rice 
Mills,  Goldsboro,  N.  C,  and  the  Beaumont  Rice  Mills,  Beaumont, 
Texas,  high-grade  rice.  He  also  represents  here  the  William  A. 
Coombs  Milling  Co.  of  Coldwater,  Mich.,  for  all  kinds  of  flour.  This 
company  are  the  proprietors  of  the  celebrated  ''Rob  Roy"  Patent  Flour, 
which  is  the  peer  of  any  flour  on   the  market.       It  is   made  from   the 


6$  THE  CITY  OF  WILMINGTON. 


finest  of  winter  wheat,  and  each  barrel  or  package  is  guaranteed  sep- 
arately. Mr.  Pickett  is  agent  here  for  N.  K.  Fairbanks  Co's  lard,  and 
he  also  handles  the  butter  and  cheese  shipped  by  Geo.  S.  Hart  &  Co. 
of  New  York,  and  seeds  and  produce  obtained  from  Jno.  Groves  &  Co. 
of  Boston.  In  produce,  such  as  potatoes  etc. ,  he  represents  the  well- 
known  house  of  Oscar  Frommel  &  Bro.  of  New  York.  All  supplies 
are  received  by  Mr.  Pickett  in  carload  lots  and  are  sold  direct  to 
wholesale  dealers  only.  Promptness  is  a  distinguishing  feature  of  this 
concern,  and  this  fact  has  been  generally  realized  by  the  trade.  Mr. 
R.  H.  Pickett  takes  an  interest  in  all  that  would  conduce  to  the  city's 
progress  and  advancement.  He  is  a  director  of  the  Mechanics'  Build- 
ing and  Loan  Association  and  the  Clarendon  Building  and  Loan  Asso- 
ciation. 


CREASY  BROS,, 

Dealers  in  Peanuts,  Fruits,  Etc*,  10  Grace  Street* 

Among  the  distinctive  industries  of  this  part  of  the  country,  the 
handling  of  peanuts  takes  a  very  important  place.  A  number  of  houses 
here,  are  more  or  less  concerned  in  this  business,  but  only  two  or  three 
devote  their  full  energies  to  its  operation.  Thus,  the  firm  of  Creasy 
Bros,  take  a  leading  place  here,  and  their  facilities  are  such  as  enable 
them  to  carry  on  the  business  under  the  most  favorable  conditions. 
This  enterprise  was  established  November,  1899,  and  since  that  period 
it  has  created  a  steadily  growing  business.  The  firm,  at  the  above  ad- 
dress, have  a  complete  plant  of  the  latest  improved  and  most  efficient 
character.  It  embraces  cleaning,  bleaching,  and  polishing  appliances, 
which  entirely  free  the  nuts  from  all  impurities,  give  them  an  attrac- 
tive look,  and  materially  add  to  their  selling  properties.  The  firm  are 
very  large  handlers  of  peanuts,  which  they  obtain  direct  from  the 
growers,  and  ship  to  all  parts  of  the  country.  The  quality  of  peanuts 
produced  here  is  of  the  very  best,  the  North  Carolina  pea  being  solid, 
with  full  kernel,  and  greatly  in  demand  with  the  trade.  The  facilities 
of  this  house  are  such  that  not  only  are  the  best  and  most  attractive 
goods  placed  at  the  disposal  of  the  trade,  but  the  prices  will  be  found 
of  the  lowest,  taking  quality  into  consideration.  This  house  has  built 
up  a  large  trade  from  small  beginnings  by  the  pursuance  of  an  enter- 
prising business  policy,  which  has  found  a  just  appreciation  by  its  pat- 
rons. Messrs.  Creasy  Bros,  are  also  dealers  in  foreign  and  domestic 
fruits  and  produce.  They  are  large  handlers  of  apples,  which  are  ob- 
tained from  various  parts  of  the  country.  Other  products  received  by 
them  are  potatoes  from  the  North,  foreign  fruits  from  the  various  ports 
of  entry,  berries  and  other  produce  from  local  growers,  etc.  In  this 
department  they  supply  the  city  and  vicinity,  and  generally  have  large 
stocks  on  hand  at  the  disposal  of  dealers.  They  also  do  a  commission 
business  in  fruits  and  produce,  and  invite  consignments,  making  ad- 
vances and  assuring  prompt  sales  and  quick  returns.  The  members  of 
the  firm  individually  are:  J.  W\  Creasy,  A.  H.  Creasy  and  W.  M. 
Creasy.  The  first  named  gives  his  full  attention  to  the  business,  per- 
sonally supervising  all  its  details. 


THE  CITY  OF  WILMINGTON.  69 

SAMUEL  BEAR,  SR„ 

Wholesale  Grocers,  18  Market  Street* 

This  is  one  of  the  oldest  established  business  houses  of  this  city, 
its  foundation  dating  back  to  the  year  1858,  when  Mr.  Samuel  Bear 
first  commenced  operations  as  a  wholesale  dry  goods  house.  He  con- 
tinued this  until  about  fifteen  years  ago,  when  he  established  his  pres- 
ent business,  which  is  carried  on  in  Mr.  Bear's  own  building  at  the 
above  located  address.  This  is  of  three  floors,  70x30  feet  in  dimen- 
sions. There  is  also  utilized  a  three-story  warehouse  for  the  storage  of 
goods.  Every  convenience  is  thus  afforded  for  a  large  stock,  which 
includes  staple  and  heavy  groceries  of  every  description,  and  a  full 
stock  of  tobaccos,  snuffs,  etc.,  a  specialty,  however,  being  made  of 
fancy  goods,  which,  in  a  large  measure,  distinguishes  this  house  from 
other  wholesale  grocers  here,  who  generally  handle  only  the  heavy 
goods.  The  assortment  handled  here  is  of  admirable  selection,  especi- 
ally suited  to  its  particular  line  of  trade,  and  obtained  in  every  in- 
stance direct  from  original  sources  under  the  most  favorable  conditions, 
thus  enabling  the  house  to  offer  patrons  the  most  desirable  and  sale- 
able goods  at  the  very  lowest  prices.  The  trade  of  the  concern  entends 
throughout  North  and  South  Carolina  and  Georgia,  and  two  commer- 
cial travellers  represent  it  on  the  road.  Mr.  Samuel  Bear,  Sr. ,  is  one 
of  the  best  known  residents  of  this  city.  He  still  takes  an  active  part 
in  the  conduct  of  the  business,  but  he  is  also  assisted  by  his  sous, 
Messrs.  E.  I.  Bear,  I.  J.  Bear  and  Sigmond  Bear.  The  house  is  a  pop- 
ular one  with  the  trade,  and  this  result  has  no  doubt  been  achieved  by 
the  persuance  of  a  business  policy  founded  upon  fair  dealing,  liberality 
and  honest  representations,  fully  in  keeping  with  a  business  reputation 
of  so  lengthened  and  honorable  a  character. 


KIDDER  LUMBER  COMPAMY, 
Manufacturers  and  Shippers  of  Lumber,  Wilmington,  N,  C 

The  above  named  organization  is  prominent  among  the  lumber 
producing  interests  of  this  section  of  the  South.  The  date  of  its  incep- 
tion goes  back  to  about  the  year  1839,  when  it  was  founded  by  Messrs. 
Gilbert  Potter  and  Edw.  Kidder.  After  the  civil  war  the  firm  title  be- 
came Kidder  &  Martin.  This  continued  until  1870,  when  the  firm  of 
Kidder  &  Sons  was  instituted.  Mr.  Edward  Kidder  died  about  1887. 
In  1880  the  firm  title  was  Edw.  Kidder's  Sons.  Finally,  in  1808,  the 
present  company  was  organized.  These,  in  brief,  are  the  changes  that 
have  transpired  during  a  business  history  of  over  sixty  years  duration. 
The  plant  covers  an  area  of  four  city  blocks, extending  from  Front  street 
to  the  river,  upon  which  it  has  a  wharf  frontage  of  about  350  feet. 
The  mill  is  a  double-gang  saw  mill.  It  was  improved  in  1801  and  the 
capacitv  increased  with  a  continuous  feed  which  operates  both  for 
rapidity  of  production,  and  economy.  The  companv  manufacture 
boards  and  scantling  from  long  leaf  pitch  pine  timber.  The  capacity 
of  the  mill  is  about  35,000  feet  of  lumber  daily,  and  the  product  is 
shipped  to  the  West  Indies  and  South  America.  The  lumber  is  the 
very  best  suited  to  the    trade    of  these    localities  and  the  house  has  no 


yo  THE   CITY   OF  WILMINGTON. 


difficulty  in  profitably  placing  their  output.  The  executive  officers  of 
the  company  are:  G.  W.  Kidder,  president,  and  R.  C.  Cantwell, 
treasurer.  Mr.  Kidder  was  a  member  of  the  original  firm  of  Kidder  & 
Martin-  He  is  also  at  the  present  time  treasurer  of  the  Clarendon 
Water  Works.  Mr.  Cantwell  has  been  connected  with  the  industry  for 
the  past  thirteen  years.  The  facilities  of  the  concern  are  of  the  best 
in  all  departments,  including  conveniences  for  obtaining  the  raw  mate- 
rial, the  utilization  of  an  up-to-date  plant  and  experience  of  the  busi- 
ness. This  old  established  and  well  known  house  has  contributed 
largely  to  the  reputation  of  this  city  as  a  producing  center,  and  is  there- 
fore entitled  to  full  recognition  in  these  pages. 

BONEY  &  HARPER  MILLING  CO*, 

Pearl  Grits,  Corn  Meal  and  Feed,  Nutt  Street* 

One  of  the  most  useful  enterprises  of  this  city  is  that  conducted 
since  June,  1900,  by  the  above  named  title,  succeeding  the  firm  of 
Boney  &  Harper,  established  in  1887.  Since  its  inception  the  business 
has  considerably  expanded  and  its  operations  steadily  increased.  The 
premises  occupied  are  well  suited  to  the  industry.  The  whole  build- 
ing at  the  above  address  is  utilized  and  comprises  a  corn  mill,  thorough- 
ly up-to-date  as  regards  mechanical  equipment,  both  rolls  and  stones 
being  used.  The  capacity  oi  the  mills  permit  of  about  2*000  bushels 
being  made  daily.  The  house  manufactures  pearl  grits,  corn  meal  and 
feed,  goods  of  high  standard  quality  manufactured  by  special  process 
and  fully  the  equal  of  similar  products  wherever  made.  The  facilities 
of  the  house  ensure  the  prompt  filling  of  orders  and  the  lowest  current 
rates.  The  receiving  and  shipping  conveniences  are  of  the  best.  Grain 
is  received  from  the  West  in  carload  lots  and  is  unloaded  from  the  cars 
direct  into  the  establishment.  This  proximity  to  the  railroad  operates 
equally  favorable  in  making  shipments.  The  trade  of  the  concern  ex- 
tends throughout  North  and  South  Carolina,  in  which  sections  these 
products  are  in  steady  demand.  The  executive  officers  of  the  company 
are  Dr.  C.  T.  Harper,  president,  H.  E.  Boney,  secretary,  and  G.  J. 
Boney,  general  manager  and  treasurer.  The  first  named  gentleman  is 
a  well-known  practising  physician  of  this  city  The  last  mentioned 
give  their  close  personal  energies  to  the  business.  Concluding  our  brief 
notice  we  will  but  add  that  the  house  is  in  every  way  adequate  to  all 
demands  that  may  be  made  upon  it,  and  those  of  the  trade  who  may  be 
interested  will  find  many  advantages  accrue  from  the  forming  of  busi- 
ness relations  with  it. 

W.  B.  COOPER, 

Wholesale  Grocer,  Salt  Fish,  Peanuts  Etc,  308-312  Nutt  Street* 

We  now  direct  attention  to  the  business  of  Mr.  W.  B.  Cooper,  who 
established  his  enterprise  in  the  year  1894.  The  premises  utilized  for 
the  business  consist  of  two  floors,  and  in  addition  a  special  annex  is 
devoted  to  the  fish  department.  As  a  wholesale  grocer,  Mr  Cooper 
handles  heavy  groceries  of  all  kinds,  including  salt  meats  and  flour.  In 
the  latter  a  specialty  is  made  of  the  house's  own  brands  of  Cooper's 
Favorite,"  a  straight  flour,  and  "Bunker  Hill,"  a  full  patent.  In 
every  department  full  stocks  of  the  freshest  selection  are  carried  which 


THE    CITY  OF  WILMINGTON.  71 


are  particularly  adapted  to  the  trade  of  this  section.  A  specialty  is  the 
handling  offish,  which  is  obtained  direct  from  the  fishermen,  who  salt  it, 
and  it  is  then  packed  on  the  premises  and  shipped  to  market.  Another 
specialty  is  in  peanuts,  which  are  purchased  from  the  growers.  They 
are  then  cleaned,  put  up  in  bags  and  sent  to  all  parts  of  the  country. 
The  quality  of  Wilmington  peanuts  is  well-known  and  appreciated  by 
the  trade,  and  the  nuts  are  always  in  demand  and  find  a  ready  market. 
In  every  respect  this  house  is  fully  abreast  of  the  times,  and  is  enabled 
to  cater  for  business  under  conditions  at  least  equal  to  any  of  its  con- 
temporaries, either  here  or  elsewhere.  Mr.  Cooper  is  a  well-known 
citizen  of  Wilmington,  identified  with  a  number  of  other  interests 
of  importance.  He  is  a  director  of  the  Murchison  National  Bank,  and 
is  vice-president  of  the  Wilmington  Stamp  Works.  He  has  been  for  a 
number  of  years  superintendent  of  Grace  Church,  (Methodist)  Sunday 
School,  which  under  his  auspices  has  reached  a  high  plane  of  benefit 
and  usefulness. 


HEIDE  &  CO,  A.  S,  HEIDE, 

Ship  Brokers,  Ship  Chandler, 

9  South  Water  Street, 

It  was  in  the  year  LS69  that  the  firm  of  Heide  &  Co.,  ship 
brokers,  was  instituted.  The  gentlemen  conducting  the  enterprise 
were  Messrs.  R.  E  Heide  and  A.  S.  Heide.  The  business  was  car- 
ried on  by  them  until  June  loth,  1895,  when  Mr  R.  E.  Heide  died 
and  it  has  since  been  continued  by  Mr.  A.  S.  Heide,  the  original 
designation  of  the  house  remaining,  however,  unchanged.  This  firm 
devote  their  attention  to  chartering  vessels,  obtaining  freights  for  the 
same,  and  to  the  transacting  of  a  regular  ship  agent's  business.  They 
look  after  the  interests  of  owners  and  shippers  equally,  and  act  fairly 
and  honorably  for  the  affairs  of  both  parties.  In  1892  Mr.  A.  S. 
Heide  instituted  a  ship  chandler's  business.  At  the  above  address  is 
located  the  building  where  he  carries  on  operations.  This  is  his 
own  property,  and  he  has  occupied  it  continuously  for  the  past  thirty 
vears.  Here  he  carries  everything  generally  included  under  the  com- 
prehensive term  of  ship  chandlery,  including  groceries  and  provisions 
of  all  kinds,  tackles,  blocks,  ropes  and  cordage,  cables  and  chain,  paint, 
anchors,  and  in  fact,  everything  that  could  possibly  be  required  for 
ships.  He  confines  his  operations  strictly  to  supplying  vessels,  and 
does  not  transact  a  city  grocery  business.  His  lengthened  experience 
exclusively  in  this  business,  enables  him  to  thoroughly  understand  every 
detail  connected  with  it,  and  he  has  long  enjoyed  the  fullest  confidence 
of  masters  and  and  owners  of  vessels  that  come  to  this  port.  Mr.  Heide 
is  also  Consul  at  Wilmington  for  the  governments  of  Sweden,  Norway 
and  Denmark,  looking  after  the  interests  of  seamen  of  those  nationali- 
ties. He  is  also  United  States  Shipping  Commissioner,  performing  the 
same  duties  for  American  sailors.  He  is  also  a  Notary  Public.  He 
has  always  been  identified  with  the  welfare  and  development  of  this 
city.  But  few  men  here,  have  had  more  to  do  with  the  development  of 
the  shipping  trade  of  this  port,  and  but  few  are  so  well  known  in  ship- 
ping circles. 


72 


THE  CITY  OF  WILMINGTON. 


ATLANTIC  NATIONAL  BANK  OF  WILMINGTON, 
Front  and  Princess  Streets* 

The  Atlantic  National  Bank  is  the  oldest  established  of  the  dis- 
count banks  here,  and  it  stands  first  in  the  aggregate  of  business  trans- 
acted. It  was  instituted  in  1892, 
its  president  then  and  now  being 
Mr.  J.  W.  Norwood.  Its  first  cash- 
ier was  Mr.  H.  W.  Howard,  that 
position  being  filled  at  the  present 
time  by  Mr.  Andrew  Moreland, 
who  succeeded  to  it  January  1st, 
1901.  The  capital  stock  of  the 
bank  paid  in  is  $125,000,  with  sur- 
plus and  undivided  profits  approach- 
ing $150,000  a  remarkable  showing 
which  clearly  indicates  the  success 
which  has  attended  its  efforts.  The 
loans  and  discounts  exceed  $1,000,- 
000,  with  deposits  approximating 
to  nearly  $1,500,000."  The  bank 
transact  a  regular  banking  business, 
making  loans,  discounting  commer- 
cial paper,  receiving  deposits  subject  to  check,  and  making  collections 
at  all  available  points.  Its  principal  correspondents  are,  the  Chemical 
National  Bank,  New  York,  Franklin  National  Bank,  Philadelphia, 
National  Shawmut  Bank,  Boston,  and  Merchants'  National  Bank,  Balti- 
more. The  directors  are:  P.  L.  Bridgers,  W.  K.  Springer,  H.  L.  Vol- 
lers,  J.  W.  Norwood,  president,  J.  L.  Coker,  D.  L.  Gore,  C.  W.  Yates, 
H.  B  Short,  J.  S.  Armstrong,  vice-president,  J.  H.  Chadbourn,  Jr., 
William  Calder,  J.  G.  L-  Gieschen,  Geo.  R.  French.  Gabriel  Holmes, 
and  Wm.  E.  Worth,  names  inspiring  the  fullest  confidence.  The  re- 
cord of  this  bank  is  one  of  which  its  managers  have  every  reason  to  be 
proud  It  is  a  bank  of  business  in  every  sense  of  the  word,  and  indulges 
in  no  uncertain  or  equivocal  investments. 

ADRIAN  COMPANY, 

Wholesale  Grocers,  Front  and  Dock  Streets, 

The  largest  proportion  of  the  wholesale  grocery  trade  of  Wilming- 
ton is  with  merchants  away  from  the  city,  and  almost  exclusively  in 
heavy  groceries.  The  business  of  the  above  named  house  differs  from 
others  in  this  respect,  inasmuch  as  it  supplies  chiefly  the  trade  of  the 
city  and  adjacent  towns,  not  only  with  staple  goods,  but  with  ever}r 
description  of  groceries.  The  business  was  founded  some  forty  years 
ago  as  Adrian  &  Vollers  It  was  incorporated  under  its  present  desig- 
nation about  six  years  ago.  The  company  occupy  central  premises  at 
the  above  address,  consisting  of  a  store,  with  a  warehouse  at  the  rear. 
Here  they  carry  a  complete  and  most  diversified  line  of  staple  and  fancy 
groceries,  making  a  specialty  of  case  goods,  table  delicacies,  etc.  They 
supply  the  trade   under  the  most   favorable   conditions  at  immediate 


THE    CITY  OF  WILMINGTON. 


73 


notice,  and  thoroughly  understanding  the  market,  are  not  liable  to 
load  up  the  dealer  with  unsaleable  or  unsuitable  goods.  The  prices 
will  compare  favorably  with  competitors  from  any  other  center.  Their 
principal  trade  is  in  the  city,  but  they  also  ship  away  in  certain  lines 
of  goods.  Mr.  A.  P.  Adrian,  the  president  of  the  company,  has  had  a 
life  long  experience  of  the  business,  and  Mr.  Schulken,  who  is  secretary 
and  treasurer,  has  been  ten  years  connected  with  it.  As  of  necessity 
these  gentlemen  require  but  little  personal  comment,  being  thoroughly 
well  known  to  the  trade  and  the  community.  We  are  impelled,  how- 
ever, in  illustrating  the  resources  of  the  city,  to  offer  .here  a  few  brief 
details  relative  to  a  house  which  for  so  lengthened  a  period  has  formed 
part  of  the  city's  trade  conveniences,  and  which  in  its  business  policy  has 
always  been  distinguished  for  liberality  and  the  careful  fostering  of  the 
interests  of  patrons. 

HOME  BREWING  COMPANY,  RICHMOND,  VA„ 

Wilmington  Branch,  }.  M.  Wright,  Manager,  112  North  Water  Street, 

The  Home  Brewing  Company  of  Richmond,  Ya.,    in   addition   to 
supplving  a  large  demand  in  that  city  and  vicinity,  have  established 


■■npnHHHl 


branches  and  agencies  in  very  many  ot  the  principal  centers  of  Yirginia, 
North  Carolina,  Georgia  and  elsewhere,  and  has  a  branch  in  Wilming- 
ton.  We  may  here'sav  in  connection  with  the  enterprise  that  at  its 
headquarters  at  Richmond  its  equipment  is  complete  in  every  detail, 
enabling  it  to  turn  out  immense  quantities  of  the  highest  grade  of  malt 
beverages.  Recentlv  additions  have  been  made  which  materially  add 
to  its  facilities.  We  might  also  mention  that  the  company  have  a  large 
ice  plant,  supplying  Richmond  and  vicinity  and  making  shipments  to 
various  parts  of  the  South.  The  Wilmington  establishment  compris- 
es  warehouse    and   cold    storage,    bottling   works   etc.      A   radius    of 


74  THE  CITY  OF  WILMINGTON. 


about  two  hundred  miles  from  here  is  supplied  from  this  point.  Cor- 
respondence is  invited  and  goods  are  shipped  to  places  which  otherwise 
have  no  facilities.  The  company's  product  is  made  from  the  best  of 
hops,  barley  malt,  pure  water  and  nothing  else.  For  flavor,  purity, 
wholesomeness  and  general  excellence,  is  not  surpassed  anywhere.  The 
Home  Brewing  Company  has  been  represented  on  this  market  for  about 
three  years.  The  manager,  Mr.  Jno.  M.  Wright  has  been  in  charge 
for  the  past  two  and  a  half  years.  Under  his  auspices,  the  business  has 
advanced  and  prospered.  The  location  at  Wilmington  of  this  branch 
of  the  Home  Brewing  Company's  enterprise,  materially  adds  to  the 
city's  conveniences  and  facilities. 

b.IfTkeith  company, 

Shingles,  Cross-Ties,  Lumber  and  Grocer,  130  North  Water  Street* 

This  enterprise  was  instituted  about  sixteen  years  ago  and  it  as- 
sumed its  present  title  about  nine  years  ago,  it  being  the  first  whole- 
sale grocer  here  to  become  an  incorporated  company,  and  perhaps  in 
the  State.  The  company  transact  a  large  business  in  shingles,  cross 
ties  and  lumber.  Mr.  B%  F.  Keith,  the  head  of  the  concern,  owns  a 
shingle  mill  at  Jessup,  N.  C,  fifty  miles  up  the  Cape  Fear  river,  which 
has  a  capacity  of  20,000  shingles  daily.  The  house  also  handles  the 
product  of  the  Sessions  mill  at  Longview,  N.  C,  which  has  a  capacity 
of  18,000  daily.  The  company  is  enabled  to  quote  the  lowest  prices 
for  the  products,  which  comprise  rived  as  well  as  sawed  shingles. 
They  ship  them  direct  from  the  mills  both  by  rail  and  water,  dispatch- 
ing them  North,  East  and  South,  and  to  the  West  Indies.  Mr.  Keith 
also  owns  from  4,000  to  5,000  acres  of  timber  and  farming  lands,  of 
which  about  400  are  under  cultivation,  the  principal  products  being 
corn,  hay  and  cotton.  Another  of  Mr.  Keith's  interest  is  the  manufac- 
ture of  the  "Council"  Perfect  Lubricating-  Axle.  This  is  made  at 
Pittsburg,  and  Dunkirk  N.  Y.,  but  the  business  at  present  is  transac- 
ted from  this  city.  The  B.  F.  Keith  Company  transacts  also  a  groce- 
ry business  to  supply  their  shingle,  cross-ties  and  lumber  men.  Mr. 
Keith  is  a  descendant  of  the  celebrated  Keith  family,  of  Scotland.  His 
branch  of  it  came  to  this  country  about  1700.  One  of  his  ancestors 
was  William  Keith,  who,  in  145S,  was  created  first  Earl  Marischal,  of 
Scotland,  and  his  descendants  held  this  office  until  1748,  when  James 
Keith  and  his  brother,  John,  were  banished  for  actively  participating 
in  the  Jacobite  rising  of  that  period.  James  and  George  Keith,  after 
their  banishment,  became  celebrated  soldiers  and  diplomats,  and  were 
confidential  advisers  of  Frederick  the  Great.  James  Keith  was  made 
Govenor  of  Berlin  in  1749.  He  highly  distinguished  himself  in  the 
wars  of  that  monarch.  Mr.  Keith,  the  president  of  this  company,  is 
one  of  the  best  known  of  Wilmington's  citizens.  He  has  recently 
been  appointed  Collector  of  the  Port,  obtaining  the  post,  despite  the 
most  strenuous  opposition,  backed  by  some  of  the  most  influential  men 
in  the  State.  Mr.  Keith's  appointment  has  met  with  the  congratula- 
tions, and  satisfaction  of  the  great  majority  of  the  citizens  of  Wilming- 
ton, as  well  as  adjacent  sections.  Mr.  G.  T.  Flynn  is  secretary  of  the 
company.  He  has  been  with  the  house  since  its  incorporation  and 
takes  an  active  part  in  the  management. 


THE  CITY  OF  WILMINGTON.  75 


JOSEPH  E  WATTERS, 

Wholesale  Grocer,  220  and  222  North  Water  Street, 
Establishing"  his  present  enterprise  within  a  comparitively  recent 
period  the  above  named  gentleman  enters  the  field  of  competition  by 
no  means  inexperienced  or  unknown  to  the  trade.  On  the  contrary, 
Mr.  Joseph  H.  Watters  has  been  connected  with  the  grocery  business 
for  over  thirty  years,  and  for  twenty-one  years  was  a  member  of  the 
well  known  firm  of  Holmes  and  Watters,  wholesale  and  retail  grocers 
of  this  city.  Mr.  Watters  established  his  present  business  as  a  strictlv 
wholesale  grocer,  October,  1900,  and  already  he  has  met  with  a  grati- 
fying success,  which  indicates  permanency.  He  utilizes  at  the  above 
address,  a  double  store  of  two  floors,  covering  an  area  of  40x100  feet. 
This  is  stored  with  a  general  line  of  groceries,  canned  fruits  and  vege- 
tables, hog  products,  flonr,  etc.  In  flour  Air.  Watters  is  identified 
with  his  own  brands  which  are,  "J.  H.  W.,"  full  patent,  "J.  H.  W. " 
patent  and  "W.,"  a  straight  flour,  all  good  selling  and  reliable  arti- 
cles. The  trade  of  the  house  extends  about  eight}'  miles  from  the  city, 
and  is  represented  on  the  road  by  commercial  travelers.  As  already 
mentioned,  Mr.  Watters  has  every  experience.  As  a  skilled  buyer  he 
obtains  his  supplies  from  original  sources,  and  offers  the  best  induce- 
ments to  patrons  By  a  business  policy  of  reliability  and  fair  dealing, 
along  with  all  required  facilities,  there  is  every  reason  to  predict  for  the 
house  an  enlarged  sphere  of  usefelness,  and  a  prominent  position  in  the 
wholesale  trade  of  the  city. 

S,  P.  COWAN  LIVERY  CO., 
108  and  112  North  Second  Street. 

We  believe  that  the  above  enterprise  is  the  oldest  established  in 
Wilmington,  in  its  particular  department  of  business.  It  was  origi- 
nally founded  just  after  the  war  by  T.  J.  Southerland.  He  died  about 
1800,  and  the  business  was  continued  by  his  widow,  Mrs  C.  B.  South- 
erland, until  about  1895,  when  Messrs.  S.  P.  Cowan  &  Co.,  became 
the  proprietors.  In  August,  1898,  Mr.  W.  D.  McMillan,  Jr.  was  admitted 
as  a  partner  in  the  concern.  Finally,  January,  1900  the  present  com- 
pany was  incorporated.  They  have  well  located  and  convenient  prem- 
ises, where  they  have  at  the  disposal  of  patrons  all  description  of  vehicles, 
both  for  business  or  pleasure.  Nowhere  in  the  state  can  more  attrac- 
tive equipages  be  hired,  or  where  better  attention  can  be  procured. 
The  company  also  board  horses  for  residents,  and  they  operate  a  reg- 
ular baggage  transfer  business  and  are  the  authorized  agents  for  all  rail 
roads  and  for  the  Ortou  Hotel.  They  alsD  run  omnibus  and  hacks  to 
meet  all  trains,  and  have  a  full  supply  of  the  latter  for  weddings,  fune- 
rals, or  such  other  occasions  as  ma}-  arise.  The  company  also  deals  in 
carriages,  saddles,  harness  and  horse  furnishings  goods,  and  do  all 
kinds  of  repairing,  and  the  making  of  fine  harness  to  order.  The  pres- 
ident of  the  company,  Mr.  S.  P.  Cowan  is  a  well  known  resident.  He 
was  formerly  connected  with  the  cotton  business,  and  with  steamship 
interests.  Mr.  W.  D.  McMillan,  Jr  ,  the  secretary  and  treasurer,  prior 
to  his  connection  with  this  house,  was  with  the  Atlantic  Coast  Line  in 
their  general  offices  at  Wilmington,  and  was  also  for  a  time  their  a^ent 
at  Washington,  N.  C. 


76 


THE  CITY  OF  WILMINGTON. 


SPIRITTINE  CHEMICAL  COMPANY, 

Distillers  and  Refiners  of  Pitch  Pine  Products*    Sole  Manufacturers  of 
Spirittine,  Factory,  Foot  Dawson  St*,  and  Malmo,  N*  C 

No  enterprise  in  the  city  has  done  more  to  make  the  name  of  Wil- 
mington well-known  abroad,  both  in  this  country  and  in  Europe,  than 
has  the  Spirittine  Chemical  Co.,  which  was  founded  in  1890,  and  in- 
corporated about  two  years  later.  Mr.  Wm.  R.  Kenan  is  president 
and  Mr.  L,.  Hanson  is  general  manager.  The  company's  plant  is  of  a 
special  and  improved  character.  When  this  branch  of  production 
was  first  introduced  by  Mr.  Hanson,  some  twenty-five  years  ago,  it  was 
entirely  new  to  this  country,  he  having  no  predecessor.  He  was  the 
first  to  utilize  the  liquids  that  emanate  from  the  pine,  and  which  by 
disintegration  and  distillation  at  various  temperatures  produce  the 
varieties  of  products.       The   leading  specialties  of  the   company  are: 


Spirittine  Wood  Preserver,  which  is  an  oil  obtained  from  the 
destructive  distillation  of  pine  heart.  It  contains  about  fifty  per  cent, 
of  wood  creosote,  and  fifty  per  cent,  of  neutral  insoluble  oils.  The  oil 
will  penetrate  the  wood,  thoroughly  filling  all  the  pores  and  hardening 
it.  It  greatly  reduces  the  inflamability,  and  it  is  easily  applied  with 
any  ordinary  brush,  dries  in  a  very  short  time  and  does  not  interfere 
with  painting  or  varnishing.  Water  and  air  are  excluded  from  wood 
treated  by  this  process.  As  is  well  known,  water  and  air  hold 
the  germs  that  induce  decay,  and  in  excluding  these  germs,  the  de- 
structive enemy  is  baffled.  It  is  an  effective  and  economical  method 
of  preserving  ships'  timbers  from  the  ravages  of  the  Teredo  Navalis, 
or  ship  worm,  the  destructive  work  of  which  insect  is  well  known. 
It  is  the  best  preservative  for  timber,  piles,  cross  ties,  telegraph  poles, 
wooden  blocks  for  paving,  lumber  used  in  mines  and  other  underground 
work.  The  company  have  received  a  large  number  of  testimonials 
from  rail  road  companies,  ship  builders,  scow  and  lighter  owners,  car 
builders,  dry  docks,  mills  and  others,  who,  having  used  this  oil, 
vouch  for  its  efficiency  and  desirability.  Spirittine  Paint  Oil  is 
the  best  suited  for  outside  work,  including  iron,  wood  and  brick  work. 
It  is  low  in  price  and  for  durability  cannot  be  surpassed.     It  preserves 


THE  CITY  OF  WILMINGTON.  y7 

any  kind  of  wood  under  all  conditions,  wet  or  dry.  It  is  a  disinfectant 
and  all  kind  of  insects  or  microbes  have  it  in  detestation  and  leave  it 
severely  alone.  It  is  the  most  efficient  oil  for  making-  preservative 
paints,  extant.  Attention  is  also  due  to  Spirittine  Balsam,  which  is  a 
specific  for  asthma,  rheumatism,  influenza,  croup,  colds  and  all  lung 
diseases, and  it  is  at  the  same  time  an  efficient  germicide.  This  remedy 
has  received  the  endorsement  of  the  Anerican  Journal  of  Health  of  New 
York,  and  the  New  York  Magazine  of  Sanitation  and  Hygiene,  as 
well  as  other  high    medical   authorities.      The  company  also   manufac- 


ture Oil  of  Tar,  Wood  Creosote  Oil,  Pure  Pine  Oil,  Spirittine 
Brick  Preserver,  Soluable  Spirittine  for  disinfecting  purposes,  Spirit- 
tine Disinfectant  and  Refined  Pyroliginous  Acid,  Sheep  Dip,  Wood 
Naphtha,  Spirit  of  Tar,  etc.  Manufacturing  chemists  and  others,  use 
largely  of  these  products,  which  are  of  such  a  useful  character,  that  they 
are  available  in  many  branches  of  manufacture.  Mr.  W7illiam  R. 
Kenan  is  the  president  of  the  company,  Mr.  L.  Hanson  has  been  con- 
nected with  the  enterprise  from  its  inception.  Wilmington  is  well 
located  for  operating  the  industry;  the  raw  material  being  close  at 
hand.  The  company  invite  correspondence  and  will  forward  explana- 
tory printed  matter  and  all  required  information. 

Dealer  in  Cigars,  Tobaccos,  Etc,  109  Market  Street* 

The  enterprise  recently  inaugurated  by  Mr.  W.  R.-  French,  Jr., 
commenced  operations  January  1st,  1002.  This  gentleman  is  a  native 
of  Wilmington,  and  for  a  young  man,  has  had  quite  a  little  experience 
in  mercantile  pursuits.  For  a  time  he  sold  groceries  on  the  road  for 
Mr.  J.  A.  Taylor,  and  he  was  also  employed  by  the  Ivory  Starch  Co., 
of  New  Haven,  Conn.,  and  has  had  an  experience  of  his  present  line 
of  business  as  clerk  in  a  similar  enterprise  here.  He  is  well  known 
and  popular.  At  his  store  he  carries  a  full  stock  of  domestic  and  Key 
West  cigars,  tobaccos  and  cigarettes  of  all  kinds,  smokers'  articles  etc. 
Among  specialties  are  "Cream  of  North  Carolina,"  smoking  tobacco, 
"Lucky  Strike, "  made  by  R.  A.  Patterson  of  Richmond,  Va.  In  cigars 
specially  to  be  commended  are  "Cardenas,"  a  fine  5  cent  cigar,  also 
"Our  Poet",  and  "St.  Clara,"  a  high-grade  ten  cent  cigar,  all  of  which 


7$  THE  CITY  OP  WILMINGTON 


are  made  for  Mr.  French  by  the  well-known  firm  of  Ottenheimer  & 
Elliot,  of  Baltimore.  The  house  caters  to  the  requirements  and  tastes 
of  the  Wilmington  public,  at  the  same  time  that  honest  goods  and  full 
value  for  money  may  be  depended  upon.  Mr.  French  also  transacts 
quite  an  important  jobbing  business.  This  young  enterprise  is  assured 
of  success,  if  success  depends  upon  close  application  to  business,  cour- 
teous attention  and  studying  in  every  way  the  interests  of  its  friends 
and  patrons. 

WALKER  TAYLOR, 
General  Insurance  Agency,  Exchange  Building* 

The  origin  of  this  enterprise  dates  back  to  about  twenty  years  ago, 
when  the  firm  of  Northrop,  Hodges  &  Taylor  was  instituted.  About 
five  years  later  the  firm  title  became  Hodges  &  Taylor,  and  about  ten 
years  ago  this  firm  dissolved,  and  ever  since  Mr.  Taylor  has  carried  on 
the  business  alone.  The  agency  may  be  classed  as  the  leading  one  in 
this  locality,  representing  the  largest  number  of  companies,  which  are: 
Insurance  Company  of  North  America,  of  Philadelphia;  German 
American,  of  New  York;  London  and  Lancashire,  of  Liverpool;  New 
York  Underwriters,  of  New  York;  Queen,  of  America;  Royal,  of  Liv- 
erpool; Westchester,  of  New  York;  North  Carolina  Home,  of  Raleigh; 
Manchester,  of  England;  Greenwich,  of  New  York;  Rochester  Ger- 
man, of  Rochester,  N.  Y.  ;  Traders,  of  Chicago  ;  Western  Assurance, 
of  Toronto;  Phoenix,  of  London;  Citizens,  of  Missouri;  Wilmington 
Underwriters;  Springfield,  of  Massachusetts;  Glen's  Falls,  of  New 
York;  the  National,  of  Hartford,  and  the  Indemnity,  of  New  York. 
He  also  represents  in  life  insurance  the  Penn  Mutual,  of  Philadelphia, 
one  of  the  oldest  established  and  most  solid  companies.  Another  com- 
pany represented  is  the  Travellers'  Accident,  of  Hartford,  the  oldest 
accident  company  extant,  and  the  well  known  Employers  Liability 
Assurance  Co.,  of  London,  England.  The  above  combination  of 
staunch  and  solid  companies  has  united  assets  of  millions  of  dollars, 
and  assure  positive  indemnification  in  case  of  loss.  Mr.  Walker  Taylor 
is  identified  with  other  interests  of  general  benefit  to  the  city.  He  is 
vice-president  of  the  Mechanics'  Home  and  the  Clarendon  Building  and 
Loan  Associations.  He  is  also  Paymaster  General  of  the  North  Caro- 
lina State  Guard.  Six  years  ago  he  organized  what  is  known  as  the 
Boys'  Brigade,  a  semi  military  corps.  The  boys  are  invited  to  join  and 
they  have  responded  with  alacrity.  Much  good  has  resulted  from  the 
formation  of  this  brigade  Every  boy  is  required  to  attend  some  Sun- 
day school,  no  special  denomination,  however,  being  indicated.  The 
joining  of  the  brigade  withdraws  its  members  from  harmful  associa- 
tions, benefitting  them  both  physically  and  morally.  Mr.  Taylor  takes 
the  boys  away  every  year  on  an  encampment.  It  is  contemplated  that 
Charleston  will  be  chosen  this  year.  Referring  again  for  a  moment  to 
the  business  we  will  only  say  that  its  scope  is  not  confined  strictly  to 
the  city,  but  extends  throughout  the  surrounding  districts.  The  in- 
terests of  clients  are  considered  in  every  legitimate  manner,  and  safe 
and  solid  indemnity  is  certain  under  any  conditions  that  could  possibly 
be  anticipated. 


THE  CITY   OF  WILMINGTON.  79 


W.  H.  YOPP, 

Fish,  Oysters,  Early  Vegetables  Etc*,  Water  St.,  next  City  Market, 

Engaged  in  the  above  departments  of  business  here  is  the  enter- 
prise of  Mr.  W.  H.  Yopp,  which  was  established  by  him  in  1884.  At 
the  above  address  he  occupies  premises  which  have  every  facility  avail- 
able for  the  receipt  and  shipment  of  the  products.  Mr.  Yopp  owns  his 
own  boats  and  nets  etc.,  and  fits  them  out  for  the  fishing  grounds.  He 
also  buys  in  the  open  markets.  The  varieties  of  fish  caught  in  this 
locality  are  mullet,  trout,  blue  fish,  spots,  red  drum,  shad,  etc.,  and 
sturgeon  in  the  spring.  These  are  shipped  to  Baltimore,  Washington, 
Richmond,  Norfolk,  Philidelphia  and  other  places.  In  oysters  Mr. 
Yopp  has  every  facility.  He  is  the  owner  of  a  large  oyster  garden 
on  the  New  River  about  forty  miles  from  the  city.  Here  he  obtains 
in  a  good  year  about  10,000  bushels  of  the  delicious  bivalves.  They 
are  mainly  disposed  of  locally.  He  also  handles  early  vegetables 
which  are  disposed  of  locally  to  some  extent,  but  important  shipments 
are  also  despatched  to  Northern  cities.  Mr.  Yopp  is  one  of  the 
best  known  business  men  here.  He  is  a  holder  of  considerable  real 
estate,  including  the  block  in  which  his  business  is  carried  on.  This 
extends  from  Front  street  to  the  river.  The  river  front  is  occupied  bv 
the  Merchants'  and  Farmers'  Steamship  Co. ,  and  by  fish  houses,  pack- 
ing houses,  and  a  restaurant.  The  portion  facing  Front  street  is  rent- 
ed for  a  dry  goods  store,  a  green  grocery,  fruit  and  confectionery  busi- 
ness, and  as  a  barber  shop.  Mr.  Yopp  also  ownes  a  number  of  dwell- 
ing houses  and  tenements  in  various  parts  of  the  city  and  he  may  be 
quoted  as  one  of  our  most  popular  and  progressive  business  men. 


F.  W,  KERCHNER, 

Dealer  in  Wines  and  Liquors,  114  North  Front  Street* 

One  of  the  best  known  business  men  of  this  city  is  the  above  named 
gentleman.  He  instituted  his  present  enterprise  during  the  past  year. 
The  store  is  centrally  located  on  the  principal  thoroughfare  of  the  city 
and  it  has  been  recently  refitted  according  to  modern  ideas,  and  today 
it  is  the  best  appointed  establishment  of  the  kind  here.  The  house 
caters  to  the  best  class  of  trade,  and  handles  the  finest  wines,  liquors 
and  cigars,  both  domestic  and  imported  products  being  here  obtainable. 
Col.  F.  W.  Kerchner  came  to  Wilmington  in  1865  from  Baltimore.  He 
started  in  the  wholesale  grocery  and  cotton  and  commission  business 
just  after  the  close  of  the  war.  In  1874  he  organized  the  firm  of 
Kerchner  &  Calder  Bros.  This  continued  until  1886  and  he  continued 
the  business  alone  until  1889,  when  he  established  the  hardware  house 
of  O.  F.  Love  &  Co.  Then,  as  before  mentioned,  in  1901  he  insti- 
tuted his  present  enterprise.  Col.  Kerchner  was  formerly  president  of 
the  Chamber  of  Commerce  and  generally  has  been  active  in  the  city's 
advancement  and  progress.  We  anticipate  for  him  in  his  new  enter- 
prise that  measure  of  success  to  which  he  is  entitled,  and  the  patronage 
of  the  members  of  the  community,  with  which  he  has  been  so  Ion?- 
identified. 


THE  CITY  OF  WILMINGTON. 


WILMINGTON  REFRIGERATOR  AND  ICE  WORKS, 
Wnu  E*  Worth  &  Co,,  Proprietors,  Office,  Second  and  Campbell  Streets* 

The  establishment  of  the  above  business  took  place  in  1885,  and 
ever  since  it  has  continued  to  serve  the  public  of  this  locality  honestly 
and  efficiently.  The  facilities  of  the  house  are  complete.  At  the  above 
address  is  located  the  office,  and  here  also  is  an  ice  plant,  having  a 
capacity  of  eighty  tons  daily,  with  a  storage  capacity  of  2,000  tons, 
and  cold  storage  houses  of  45,000  cubic  feet  capacity.  The  latter  are 
of  great  value,  enabling  wholesale  houses  to  store  butter,  cheese,  lem- 
ons, oranges  and  other  perishable  commodities.  Everything  in  this 
plant  is  up-to-date,  and  it  includes  steam  hoisting  and  loading  appli- 
ances. Another  plant  is  situated  corner  Dock  and  Front  streets,  which 
occupies  four  brick  buildings.  This  has  a  capacity  of  fifteen  tons  daily. 
Here  also  is  a  cold  storage  with   a   capacity  of   17,000  cubic   feet,  util- 


ized chiefly  for  conducting  the  salt  fish  business.  The  firm  buy  the 
fresh  fish  in  bulk  from  the  fishermen,  salt  it  and  pack  it  to  suit  the 
trade.  From  this  plant  also  is  transacted,  principally,  ,the  retail  busi- 
ness. The  firm  also  supply  the  country  round  about  for  a  radius  of 
eighty  miles.  It  is  the  most  important  enterprise  of  the  kind  in  this 
division  of  the  South.  Mr.  Win.  E.  Worth  is  also  president  and  the 
largest  owner  in  the  Southern  Ice  Co  ,  of  Rocky  Mount,  which  has  a 
daily  capacity  of  seventy  tons,  and  a  storage  capacity  of  4,000  tons. 
From  here  is  supplied  a  radius  of  fifty  miles  from  the  factory.  Mr. 
Worth  is  also  president  of  the  Greensboro  Ice  and  Coal  Co.,  of  Greens- 
boro, N.  C. ,  which  has  a  capacity  of  fifty  tons,  and  which  supplies  that 
city  and  surrounding  districts.  Mr.  Worth  is  vice-president  of  the  J. 
B.  Worth  Co. ,  of  Petersburg,  Va.  This  plant  has  a  capacity  of  thirty 
tons,  and  supplies  that  city-  The  ice  manufactured  at  these  plants  is 
chemically  pure  as  far  as  purity  can  be  obtained  by  the  use  of  iron  pipe 
in  manufacturing.  The  water  used  is  from  condensed  steam,  and 
necessarialy  contains  but   infinitesmal  impurities.      The  ice  as  supplied 


THH  CITY  OF  WILMINGTON.  Si 

by  the  firm  is  in  blocks,  fourteen  inches  thick,  each  block  weighing 
about  "200  to  300  pounds.  The  firm  have  always  been  solicitous  to 
share  the  advantages  they  derive  from  their  complete  plants  with  the 
public,  and  by  giving  it  the  best  quality  of  ice  at  a  reasonable  price, 
and  by  prompt  and  efficient  service,  has  consolidated  a  patronage  which 
is  staple  and  secure,  and  which  bids  fair  further  to  expand.  The  indi- 
vidual members  of  the  firm  are  :  Messrs.  William  E.  Worth  and  Bar- 
zillai  G.  Worth.  The  latter  is  one  of  the  oldest  business  men  of  the 
city  and  is  president  of  The  Worth  Company  here.  Mr.  Wm.  E. 
Worth  is  one  of  the  busiest  men  of  Wilmington.  Nevertheless,  he  has 
always  taken  an  active  part  in  the  promotion  of  the  welfare  of  this 
community.  He  is  an  active  member  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce,  of 
which  bod\T  he  was  formerly  president.  He  is  now  president  of  the 
Wilmington  Sewerage  Co.,  which  is  doing  much  towards  the  better 
sanitation  of  the  city.  He  is  also  a  director  of  the  Atlantic  National 
Bank,  vice-president  of  the  Co-operative  Building  and  Loan  Associa- 
tion,  and  is  interested  in  a  number  of  other  organizations  of  a  useful 
local  character.  From  the  above  mentioned  facts  can  be  gathered  the 
influence  for  good  which  this  enterprise  and  its  associates  have  exer- 
cised throughout  the  city  and  State  generally. 

DIAMOND  STEAMBOAT  AND  WRECKING  CO., 

Mmington,  N*  C 

The  Diamond  Steamboat  and  Wrecking  Co.  was  instituted  about 
twelve  years  ago  and  since  that  period  has  been  of  large  material  ser- 
vice to  the  shipping  interests  centered  here.  Speaking  in  reference 
fe.  to   the  facilities  of  this  organization  we  will  first 

rjp  allude  to  the  steamer  Marion  which  is  engaged 

-XiijC]^  in  the  harbor  towing  trade.      It  is  equipped  with 

^"-  large  fire  and  wrecking    pumps   and   is  in  every 

:,J%.     X  BUl    waY  up-to-date.     The  company  also  have  heavy 
r  [T^yte-^      |l||  derricks  and  pile  drivers  for  constructing  docks 
and    foundations    for   buildings.      They  have  in 
addition,    every  facility  for   doing    all    kinds  of 
'sub-marine  work,    and  have  a    complete  diving 
v  ■■■-  r  outfit.      Recently  they  have  added  to  their  plant 

;  \Z\  ^iJ^^  jff\  a  steam    automatic  hammer,    for    pile    driving, 

gggj^p^N  which  is  of   the  latest  improved  character,    also 

an  improved  saw-arbor  for  sawing  or  piling,  either  above  the  water  or 
twenty  feet  below  it.  The  above  greatly  adds  to  their  facilities  and 
enables  them  to  efficiently  do  all  work  which  properly  comes  within 
their  province.  The  company  makes  a  specialty  of  all  descriptions  of 
marine  and  harbor  work,  and  caters  for  business  all  along  this  coast 
from  Norfolk  to  Charleston.  We  may  here  mention  that  they  rendered 
valuable  salvage  service  in  saving  the  British  steamer  "Star  Cross'1  which 
was  stranded  on  Cape  Lookout  shoals.  They  are  ready  at  immediate 
notice,  to  render  service,  and  that  too  upon  a  reasonable  scale  of  charges. 
Captain  E.  D.  Williams,  who  is  the  manager  of  the  business  and  mas- 
ter of  the  tug  Marion,  is  a  gentleman,  who,  for  very  many  vears 
has  been  identified  with  shipping  interests  here.      For  over  a  quarter  of 


83  THE  CITY  OF  WILMINGTON. 

a  century  he  has  been  engaged  in  navigating  the  Cape  Fear  River, 
every  inch  of  which  maybe  said  to  be  familiar  to  him.  The  enterprise 
now  conducted  under  his  auspices  is  one  of  value  to  all  who  frequent 
this  port  and  its  vicinity,  as  well  as  to  others  who  may  need  the  ser- 
vices this  company  are  both  able  and  willing  to  accord,  and  which  they 
carry  out  to  successful  completion. 


C.  C  COVINGTON  &  CO. 
Importers  of  Molasses,  Packers  of  Fish  and  Jobbers  of  Flour,  N«  Water  St* 

This  enterprise  was  originally  founded  by  Mr.  E.  P.  Covington  in 
1871,  the  present  designation  being  adopted  in  1884.  The  business  is 
somewhat  apart  from  other  wholesale  houses  here,  inasmuch  as  it  con- 
fines its  operations  mainly  to  the  handling  of  three  important  staple  ar- 
ticles of  food.  The  firm  are  direct  importers  of  molasses,  which  they 
obtain  from  the  West  Indies.  The  house  may  be  quoted  as  headquar- 
ters here  for  molasses,  which  they  ship  all  through  the  South  wherever 
a  favorable  freight  rate  can  be  obtained.  Special  facilities  are  available 
for  abtaining  molasses  from  the  Islands,  ships  going  from  here  loaded 
with  lumber  and  returning  with  molasses  under  most  favorable  freight 
rates.  Messrs.  C.  C.  Covington  &  Co.  in  flour  obtain  their  goods  from 
the  Voigt  Milling  Co.,  of  Grand  Rapids,  Mich.,  and  they  are  sole 
agents  for  that  mill  in  this  territory.  The  brands  are  well  known  for 
purity,  strength,  color  and  uniformity.  As  regards  fish,  the  house  buys 
the  catch  of  the  fishermen,  cure  them  and  pack  them,  and  ship  all 
over  the  country  The  prices  quoted  will  compare  favorably  with  any 
locality.  Messrs.  C.  C.  Covington  &  Co.  occupy  extensive  premises, 
comprising  a  large  warehouse,  adjacent  to  the  river  and  railroad  so 
that  goods  can  be  received  and  shipped  with  facility.  The  trade  of 
the  house  is  principally  with  large  wholesale  grocers  and  distributors, 
especially  as  regards  molasses  and  fish.  Mr.  C.  C.  Covington  is  now 
the  sole  proprietor  of  this  business,  whose  prominent  place  in  the  trade 
is  largely  due  to  a  policy  of  fair  dealing  and  liberality.  He  is  a  well 
known  resident,  who  may  be  said  to  have  been  brought  up  to  the  bus- 
iness, and  therefore  is  entirely  familiar  with  all  its  details. 


THE  C  W,  POLVOGT  COMPANY, 
Dry  Goods,  Carpets  and  Millinery,  9  North  Water  Street* 

The  prominent  dry  goods  establishment  now  conducted  under  the 
title  of  The  C.  W.  Polvogt  Co.  is  one  of  the  oldest  established  busi- 
nesses of  Wilmington.  It  was  founded  in  the  year  1845  by  Mr.  M.  M. 
Katz.  In  1895  the  firm  of  Katz  &  Polvogt  was  formed.  This  con- 
tinued until  the  following  year  when  the  firm  became  C.  W.  Polvogt  & 
Co.  Finally,  in  1807,  the  present  company  was  incorporated  with  Mr. 
C.  W.  Polvogt  as  president  and  manager  and  Mr.  F.  A.  Bissinger  as 
secretary  and  treasurer.  The  store  is  one  of  the  largest  and  handsomest 
in  the  State.  It  was  specially  fitted  up  for  the  business  by  Mr.  Pol- 
vogt, and  it  comprises  two  floors  and  basement,  covering  an  area  of 
30x135  feet.  It  is  filled  to  its  capacity  with  the  choicest  and  finest 
stock  of  dry  goods,  notions,  millinery,  house  furnishing  goods,  etc. 
Besides  general  lines  in  large  variety,  it  includes  a  particularly  fine  as- 


THE  CITY  OF  WILMINGTON.  83 


sortment  of  silks  and  dress  goods,  both  of  foreign  and  domestic  manu- 
facture. In  millinery,  a  specialty  is  made,  the  company  trimming 
their  own  hats  and  duplicating  the  latest  novelties  of  the  season.  The 
company  are  sole  agents  here  for  the  celebrated  "W.  B."  corsets,  which 
are  well  known  throughout  the  country,  and  also  for  the  equally  well 
known  Standard  Paper  Patterns.  By  virtue  of  the  employment  of 
ample  capital,  the  house  is  enabled  to  go  to  the  markets  with  the  cash 
in  hand  and  to  discount  all  bills,  thus  obtaining  lowest  manufacturers' 
prices.  The  company  transact  an  important  mail  order  business,  sup- 
plying patterns  and  replying  promptly  to  enquiries.  Buyers  from  out  of 
town  can  thus  fill  their  requirements  without  visiting  the  city,  and 
upon  exactly  the  same  terms  as  residents.  Mr.  C.  W.  Polvogt  has 
been  connected  with  this  business  for  twenty-three  years,  and  Mr.  Bis- 
singer  for  about  twelve  years.  Both  are  natives  of  the  city,  and  thor- 
ouehlv  well  known  to  its  residents.  Mr.  Polvogt  is  also  a  director  of 
the  Homestead  and  Loan  Association,  and  is  prominently  identified 
with  a  number  of  secret  and  social  organizations.  In  concluding,  we 
will  say  that  by  means  of  enterprise,  energy  and  fair  dealing,  this  house 
has  achieved  a  reputation  of  the  highest,  and  is  certainly  entitled  to 
the  success  that  it  has  attained. 


MORRIS  BEAR  &  BR0„ 
Wholesale  Dry  Goods,  Notions,  Etc*,  112  North  Front  Street, 

Among  the  leading  wholesale  houses  of  Wilmington  must  be  rank- 
ed that  of  Messrs.  Morris  Bear  &  Bio.,  which  was  founded  about 
thirty  years  ago  by  Mr.  Morris  Bear,  who  continued  it  until  his  death 
in  1889,  Since  then  the  business  has  been  continued  by  his  brothers, 
Messrs.  Isaac  Bear  and  Samuel  Bear,  Jr.,  under  the  present  firm  title. 
A  large  and  well  located  three  story  building  110x50  feet  is  utilized, 
and  here  is  contained  a  very  comprehensive  stock,  embracing  dry  goods 
and  notions  of  all  descriptions.  The  firm  have  the  advantage  of  large 
capital  at  command,  and  they  are  enabled  to  avail  themselves  of  everv 
favorable  turn  of  the  markets.  All  supplies  come  direct  from  first 
hands  and  manufacturers,  and  their  purchasing  agents  are  always  alive 
to  seize  every  opportunity  for  making  advantageous  purchases.  The 
house  employs  a  suitable  number  of  assistants,  including  four  commer- 
cial travellers.  Their  trade  is  mainly  in  North  and  South  Carolina, 
within  about  two  hundred  miles  from  the  city.  Merchants  will  find 
in  dealings  here,  that  their  source  of  supply  is  contiguous  and  adjacent, 
and  freight  expense  is  thus  of  the  lowest,  and  the  filling  of  orders  is 
much  more  prompt  and  reliable.  The  firm  also  thoroughly  understand 
the  market  and  what  class  of  goods  are  best  suited  to  the  locality.  The 
members  of  the  firm  have  long  been  connected  with  the  trade.  They 
are  well  known  residents  of  this  city.  Mr.  Isaac  Bear  is  a  director  of 
the  People's  Savings  Bank,  and  Mr.  Samual  Bear,  Jr.,  of  the  Delgado 
Mills.  The  business  has  always  been  conducted  upon  broad  principles 
of  liberality  and  fair  dealing,  which  unquestionably  have  obtained  for 
it,  the  position  in  trade  circles  which  it  now  occupies 


§4 


THE  CITY  OF  WILMINGTON. 


N,  F,  PARKER, 
Furniture  and  Furniture  Novelties,  111  Market  Street, 

The  enterprise  conducted  under  the  proprietorship  of  Mr  N.  F. 
Parker  has  rapidly  progressed  since  the  date  of  its  establishment,  Octo- 
ber,  1899.      The  premises  occupied  consist  of  the  store  proper,  which  is 

a  four  story  build- 
ing, the  lower  floor 
of  which  is  22x135, 
and  two  large  ware- 
houses for  the  store- 
age  of  furniture — 
one  on  Second  street 
between  Market  and 
Princess,  and  one  in 
Cr  a  f  t's  Alley,  on 
Front  street  between 
Market  and  Dock  — 
this  makes  the  es- 
tablishment  the 
largest  of  its  kind  in 
the  city,  and  proba- 
bly larger  than  any 
in  the  state.  In  ad- 
dition to  the  sale  of 
furniture,  Mr.  Par- 
ker does  upholster- 
i  n  g  and  mattress 
making  of  all  kinds; 
this  department 
being  under  the  su- 
pervision of  an  ex- 
perienced man,  he 
also  sells  and  hangs  wall  papers,  being  sole  agent  in  this  line  for  Ballou, 
Dickson  &  Co.  of  New  York,  one  of  the,  if  not  the  largest  wall  paper 
house  in  the  U.  S.  One  of  his  specialties  is  the  packing,  hauling,  stor- 
ing and  insuring  of  household  goods,  and  to  have  your  furniture  packed 
by  Parker  means  to  have  it  done  right.  M»  Parker  buys  his  furniture 
from  the  manufacturers  only,  and  as  he  has  exclusive  sale  on  all  goods 
he  buys,  his  line  is  distinctive  from  any  other  in  the  city,  consisting  of 
the  products  of  the  best  factories  in  America;  quality  first,  price  second 
being  the  buyer's  watchword.  Being  in  a  position  to  use  the  potent 
factor  cash,  in  his  dealings,  buying  in  the  quantity  he  does,  Mr.  Parker's 
prices  for  high  grade  goods  will  compare  favorably  with  the  general 
prices  for  inferior  grades.  The  trade  of  the  house  extends  over  North 
and  parts  of  South  Carolina  and  Virginia.  Mr.  Parker  is  a  native  of 
Wilmington.  He  was  formerly  manager  of  one  of  the  largest  stores 
in  Jacksonville  Fla.,  and  buyer  for  four  other  stores  in  Florida,  under 
the  ownership  of  the  same  firm,  and  was  also  with  P.  H.  Snook 
of  Atlanta,  Ga. ,  who  has  one  of  the  largest  retail  stores  for  high  grade 
goods  in  the  South.  Mr.  Snook  pronounced  him  to  be  the  best  man  he 
had  had  in  his  twenty  five  years  experience  in  business. 


THE  CITY  OF  WILMINGTON. 


85 


THE  RACKET  STORE, 
Geo*  ()♦  Gaylord,  Proprietor,  208  and  210  North  Front  Street, 

The  above  establishment  was  originally  founded  in  1888  as  Brad- 
dy  &  Gaylord,  Mr.  Gaylord  assuming  sole  control  in  1897.  The  prem- 
ises now  occupied  consist  of  a  handsome  and  well  appointed  store,  com- 
prising a  four-story 
building  covering  an 
area  of  50x125  feet  with 
a  fioorage  space  of  1 9,  "200 
square  feet.  The  store 
was  constructed  espe- 
cially in  reference  to  the 
requirements  of  this  bus- 
iness. The  principal 
departments  are  as  fol- 
lows: Dress  goods,  dry 
goods  of  all  kinds,  cloth- 
ing and  gents'  furnish- 
ings, millinery,  carpets 
and  mattings,  house  fur- 
mishing  goods  of  every 
description,  light  furni- 
ture, trunks  and  travel- 
lers' requisites,  practi- 
cally including  every- 
thing required  for  ladies' 
gentlemen's  and  chil- 
Iren's  apparel,  as  well 
as  all  requisites  for  the 
furnishing  of  a  home, 
heavy  furniture,  perhaps 
alon  e,  excepted.  A 
[specialty  is  made  of 
trimmed  hats,  which  are 
shipped  to  all  parts  of  this  and  the  adjacent  State.  Mr.  Gaylord  has 
in  his  employ  a  highly  experienced  millinery  head  of  department,  who 
goes  periodically  to  New  York  and  Baltimore  to  study  the  fashions  and 
to  bring  back  the  latest  New  York  and  Paris  stvles.  This  ladv  is 
often  away  for  two  months  of  the  year  in  the  interests  of  the  house. 
Another  specialty  is  in  trunks  and  travellers'  requisites,  a  particularly 
heavy  and  desirable  line  being  carried.  Goods  are  obtained  direct  from 
first  hands,  manufacturers  and  importers,  and  are  purchased  under  the 
most  favorable  conditions.  All  bills  are  discounted  and  the  benefits 
thus  derived  are  shared  with  patrons.  The  house  does  quite  an  im- 
portant wholesale  trade,  especially  as  regards  candy,  millinery,  men's 
hats,  etc.  Merchants  will  find  every  inducement  offered  in  the  way  of 
prompt  delivery  and  low  prices.  The  house  also  does  a  large  mail  or- 
der business  with  residents  of  neighboring  villages  and  towns.  Mr. 
Geo.  O.  Gaylord  came  here  from  Beaufort  County  in  1S8S.  He  at  once 
realized  that  a  department  store  conducted  according  to  modern  methods 


86  THE  CITY  OF  WILMINGTON. 


could  be  successfully  conducted  here,  and  the  results  have  fully  justified 
the  truth  of  his  ideas,  as  is  evidenced  in  the  success  and  popularity  of 
his  establishment. 


WILMINGTON  SAVINGS  AND  TRUST  CO., 

108  Princess  Street. 

The  country  points  with  pride  to  the  vast  sums  held  in  trust, 
by  savings  banks, whose  depositors,  as  a  rule,  are  found  in  the  hum- 
bler walks  of  life,  among  the  artizans,  workers  and  toilers  in  all  her 
varied  industries.  These  accumulations  confided  to  the  care  of  these 
institutions  are  frequently  the  nucleus  of  a  future  competency,  and  prom- 
inent positions  in  industrial  and  financial  circles.  Among  this  class  of 
banks,  Wilmington  is  well  represented  by  the  Wilmington  Savings 
and  Trust  Company,  which  was  established  in  1888.  It  is  the  largest 
and  strongest  strictly  savings  bank  in  North  Coarlina,  and  has  always 
served  its  depositors  faithfully  and  well.  The  capital  stock  is  $25,000, 
and,  in  addition  to  this,  it  has  a  surplus  fund  amounting  to  over  $40,- 
000,  a  significant  indication  of  able  and  conservative  management  and 
prosperity.  Its  deposits  aggregate  nearly  $800,000,  and  the  whole  of 
this  large  sum  is  invested  in  first  class  mortgages,  on  real  estate,  and 
against  collateral  of  the  highest  value  and  character,  assuring  absolute 
security.  The  bank  accepts  deposits  in  any  amount  from  twenty-five 
cents  upwards.  Interest  is  paid  at  the  rate  of  four  per  cent,  per  annum, 
zvhich  is  compounded  quarterly.  Few  readily  realize  the  results  of  this 
system  and  how  soon,  a  small  sum  of  money  left,  as  it  were  alone  to 
fructify  and  accumulate,  increases  and  multiplies.  The  bank  invites 
deposits  from  out-of-town  and  will  gradly  correspond  on  the  subject 
with  all  who  may  be  interested.  The  bank  also  accept  deposits  sub- 
ject to  check  wnthout  notice.  Its  correspondents  are:  the  Western 
National  Bank  of  New  York,  and  it  also  transacts  business  through 
the  Atlantic  National  Bank  of  this  city.  Its  executive  officers  are:  J. 
W.  Norwood,  president,  H.  Walters,  vice-president  and  C.  E.  Tavlor, 
Jr.,  cashier.  In  addition  to  the  president  and  vice-president,  its  direc- 
tors are:  N.  B.  Rankin,  Geo.  R.  French,  Donald  MacRae,  D.  O'Con- 
nor and  H.  L-  Vollers.  The  business  standing  of  these  gentlemen,  the 
prudence  that  have  always  characterized  the  management,  and  the  firm 
hold  that  the  bank  has  secured  in  the  confidence  of  the  people,  affords 
every  indication  of  an  enlarged  sphere  of  usefulness  in  the  future. 


KL  H,  CURRAN, 
Merchant  Tailor,  117  Front  Street, 


Our  aim  in  this  volume  is  to  indicate  to  our  readers  the  leading- 
representative  of  each  particular  line  of  trade.  Prominently  engaged 
in  the  vocation  of  a  high  class  merchant  tailor  is  the  house  of  Mr.  M. 
H.  Curran  who  established  his  present  business  in  1897.  He,  however, 
has  been  domiciled  here  since  1879  and  has  always  been  known  as  one 
of  the  best  cutters  and  designers  of  gentlemen's  attire  that  the  city 
ever  possessed.  At  his  new  store,  next  to  "The  Orton",  may  be 
inspected  the  finest  imported  fabrics  that  come  to  this  country,   giving" 


THE  CITY  OF  WILMINGTON.  8/ 


customers  the  largest  range  of  selection  to  be  found  in  the  city.  The 
stock  includes  the  latest  styles  in  woolens,  cassimeres,  checks,  stripes, 
fancy  vestings  etc.,  and  from  these  are  made  to  order,  the  very  best  of 
custom  made  garments  in  style  after  the  latest  New  York  and  London 
fashion  plates.  Since  entering  his  new  and  handsome  store,  he  has 
largely  increased  his  stock  of  gents'  furnishings  and  hats,  which  is  now 
the  equal  of  any  in  the  city.  The  patronage  of  the  house  is  with  the 
best  class  of  Wilmington's  business  and  professional  men,  but  its  trade 
is  by  no  means  restricted  to  the  city,  old  customers  who  reside  afar  pre- 
ferring to  give  their  orders  here.  Mr.  Curran  employs  a  corp  of  high 
class  custom  tailors,  whose  services  he  is  enabled  to  retain,  thus  assur- 
ing the  best  of  workmanship.  In  the  possession  of  this  high  class 
tailoring  establishment,  Wilmington  is  on  a  plane  with  any  of  the 
metropolitan  centers  in  the  entire  country. 


THE  JOHN  R.  TURRENTINE   CO., 
Merchandise  Brokers  and  Manufacturers'  Agents,  225  North  Water  Street* 

The  well-known  house  of  merchandise  brokers,  conducted  under 
the  above  title,  was  founded  in  1876,  by  Mr.  John  R.  Turrentine, 
the  present  designation  being  adopted  in  1895.  The  house  has  lately 
entered  into  possession  of  its  new  premises  in  the  recently  construct- 
ed Atlantic  Coast  Line  warehouse,  comprising  ample  storage  facilities, 
well  arranged  sample  rooms  and  offices,  along  with  cold  storage  for 
perishable  commodities.  The  company  are  the  representatives  in  this 
city,  of  a  number  of  leading  houses  and  original  sources  of  supply. 
They  represent  the  world  renowned  house  of  Armour  &  Co.,  in  pack- 
ing house  products,  the  Benedict  Commission  Co.  for  rice,  the  Martin 
Wagner  Co.  of  Baltimore,  canned  vegetables,  and  the  Genesee  Fruit 
Co.  for  pure  apple  cider  and  vinegar.  This  house  is  the  largest  of  the 
kind  in  the  world.  In  flour,  they  are  agents  for  the  Eldred  Mill  Co., 
the  J.  E.  M.  Milling  Co.,  Frankfort,  Ky.,  and  the  Pillsbury- Washburn 
Co.,  of  Indianapolis,  They  represent  here  the  National  Starch  Co.,  of 
New  York,  and  ArbuckleBros. ,  New  York,  coffees  and  sugars.  They  also 
receive  hay  and  grain,  direct  from  the  West  in  car-load  lots.  All  of 
the  goods  are  handled  strictly  on  commission  and  are  supplied  to  the 
trade  promptly  at  lowest  current  prices.  In  certain  lines,  especially 
coffees  and  sugars,  they  transact  an  important  business  in  North  and 
South  Carolina  generally.  The  members  of  the  firm  are  Messrs.  John 
R.  Turrentine  and  John  R.  Turrentine,  Jr.  These  gentlemen  are  also 
interested  in  a  projected  railroad  between  this  city  and  Southport.  The 
senior  member  was  for  ten  years  a  member  of  the  Chicago  Board  of 
Trade  and  has  a  lengthened  experience  of  all  pertaining  to  the  busi- 
ness. Mr.  John  R.  Turrentine,  Jr.  is  connected  with  the  proprietor- 
ship of  The  Turrentine  Light  Co.,  of  this  city.  The  house  during  its 
lengthened  career  has  always  enjoyed  the  full  confidence  of  the  trade, 
and  its  standing  in  the  community  is  such  as  we  shall  presume  to  offer 
no  comment  with  regard  to  it. 


88  THE  CITY  OF  WLMINGTON. 


B,  F.  MITCHELL  CO., 
Grain,  Peanuts,  Etc,,  22  North  Water  Street, 

This  is  one  of  the  oldest  established  business  enterprises  of  the  city, 
surpassed  in  length  of  career  only  by  one  or  two  houses,  at  most,  here. 
It  was  founded  in  the  year  1844  as  Ellis  &  Mitchell,  and  conducted 
under  that  firm  title  until  about  1872,  when  the  designation  of  Mitch- 
ell &  Huggins  was  adopted.  This  continued  until  about  1873,  when 
the  firm  of  B.  F.  Mitchell  &  Son  was  formed.  Finally,  in  1893,  the 
present  style  of  the  B.  F.  Mitchell  Co.  was  instituted.  Mr.  B.  F. 
Mitchell  diedtin  1894.  The  company's  business  includes  the  handling 
of  grain  at  wholesale,  catering  to  the  trade  of  the  city  and  vicinity. 
Grain  is  obtained  from  the  West  in  carload  lots,  and  is  promptly  sup- 
plied to  patrons  at  lowest  current  prices.  The  company  are  also  large 
handlers  of  peanuts,  which  they  purchase  from  the  growers,  clean  them 
by  machinery  run  by  electric  power,  and  put  them  up  in  sacks  for  the 
market.  The  North  Carolina  peanuts  are  considered  superior  to  others, 
and  the  facilities  of  the  house  ensure  the  finest  grade  of  peanuts  obtain- 
able. The  proprietor  of  the  business  is  Mr.  C.  J.  Mitchell,  who  is  a 
son  of  the  founder.  He  possesses  a  complete  experience  and  thorough 
familiarity  with  everything  connected  with  the  trade  with  which  he 
has  been  connected  since  boyhood.  The  house,  with  such  a  long  and 
honorable  business  career,  necessarily  enjoys  the  fullest  confidence  of 
dealers  and  consumers. 

cTdTmaffitt," 

Ship  Chandler,  Grocer  and  Naval  Stores,  115  North  Water  Street, 

This  important  enterprise  was  founded  in  1896,  as  C.  D.  Maffitt 
&  Co.  A  year  later  Mr.  C.  D.  Maffitt  became  sole  proprietor.  A  very 
large  stock  is  carried  by  the  house  consisting  of  what  may  be  designat- 
ed as  marine  supplies  in  all  branches,  including  groceries  and  provis- 
ions, naval  stores,  paints  and  oils,  ropes,  canvass,  blocks,  sheaves, 
anchors,  and  in  fact,  every  conceivable  article  required  for  the  equip- 
ment of  vessels  from  the  lumber  to  build  them,  to  the  lamps  and  oil  to 
serve  as  beacons  on  their  way.  Mr.  Maffitt  pays  personal  attention  to 
the  vessel  supply  business,  giving  to  every  detail  his  constant  supervis- 
ion. The  house  also  transacts  a  wholesale  and  retail  grocer)'  business 
in  all  its  branches,  and  it  is  the  sole  agent  here  for  the  celebrated 
Harrison  Town  and  Country  Paints,  made  in  Philadelphia,  one  of  the 
best  known  and  the  oldest  established  paint  house  in  the  United  States. 
In  the  naval  store  business,  Mr.  Maffitt  is  affiliated  with  the  firm  of 
Win.  A.  Martin  &  Co.,  manufacturers  of  tar,  rosin,  deck  and  spar  oils, 
brewers  and  roof  pitch,  navy  pitch,  pine  tar  varnish,  gum-thus,  brush 
pitch  and  naval  stores  generally.  Mr.  Maffitt  is  extremely  well  known 
in  shipping  circles,  both  foreign  and  domestic,  sail  and  steam.  For 
some  years  he  followed  the  sea,  working  in  the  coastwise  and  West  In- 
dian trade.  He  rose  from  cabin  boy  to  first  officer,  and  thus  became 
acquainted  with  all  pertaining  to  the  profession.  He  has  many  friends 
and  patrons  among  shipmasters  who  come  to  this  port.  He  is  agent 
here  for  the  North  and  South  Carolina  small  coastwise  fleet,  also  for 
the  U.  S.  Cutter  service  in  this  district.      Patrons  realize  that  nowhere 


THE  CITY  OF  WILMINGTON 


89 


can  they  receive  fairer  treatment  and  more  courteous  attention.  It  is 
gratifying  to  have  to  record  here  the  marked  success  and  advancement 
of  this  enterprise,  reflective  of  the  business  of  North  Carolina's  metrop- 
olis. 

THE  ORTON, 
R*  W,  Wallace  &  Co.,  Proprietors,  North  Front  Street* 

"The  Orton"  was  built  by  Mr.  K.  M.  Murchison  in  1S88  and 
it  was  carried  on  under  management  until  1806,  when  it  was  leased  by 
the  firm  of  R.  W.  Wallace  &  Co.  The  hotel  is  an  imposing  structure, 
along  the  line  of  the  main  thoroughfare  of  the  city.  It  contains  about 
one  hundred  guest  chambers,  light,  airy  and  well  furnished,  some  fitted 
with  baths  and  private  toilets,  and  steam  heated.  Spacious  halls  and 
corridors,    with  windows  opening  upon  the  street,    assure  a  constant  cur- 


rent of  air  in  the  summer,  and  during  the  few  cold  days  of  winter  these 
halls  and  corridors  are  steam  heated .  Every  modern  convenience  is  pro- 
vided, such  as  electric  bells,  telephones,  newspaper  stand,  billiard 
room,  bar  room,  card  room,  spacious  parlors,  barber  shop,  modern 
plumbing,  bath  rooms,  etc.  Convenient  sample  rooms  are  also  at  the 
disposal  of  commercial  travellers.  The  rates  are  $2.50,  $3.00  and  $3.50 
per  day,  according  to  accommodations.  The  tables  are  well  spread 
with  all  the  delicacies  of  the  season.  The  employees  number  between 
fifty  and  sixty,  and  are  well  trained  and  organized.  Three  gentlemen 
officiate  as  clerks,  and  help  to  welcome  the  coming  and  speed  the  part- 
ing guest.  Hotel  accommodation  generally,  within  a  day's  ride  is  not 
very  desirable,  and  the  advantage  of  spending  Saturday  to  Monday  in 
a  good  hotel  is  not  lost  sight  of  by  travellers.  Wilmington  also  has 
pleasant  summer  resorts  on  the  ocean,  but  a  few  miles  distant,  and 
reached  by  the  cars,  where  an  agreeable  Sunday  afternoon  may  be  well 


9o  THE   CITY  OF  WILMINGTON. 


put  in.  Mr.  R.  W.  Wallace,  the  managing  proprietor,  is  a  favorite 
with  the  travelling  public,  and  does  all  that  is  possible  to  make  a  stay 
at  his  house  agreeable  and  pleasant.  He  was  for  sometime  in  the  hotel 
business  before  taking  charge  of  "TheOrton,"  previous  to  which  he 
was  engaged  in  mercantile  pursuits. 


H.  McL.  GREEN  &  McINTOSH, 
Agents  for  Timber,  Logs,  Shingles  and  Tar,  Water  and  Chesnut  Streets* 

In  addition  to  those  engaged  in  the  manufacturing  branches  of  the 
lumber  trade,  the  influence  of  enterprises  through  whose  efforts  the  raw 
material  is  obtained  is  entitled  to  prominent  recognition.  In  refer- 
ence to  these  remarks  we  now  direct  attention  of  the  business  of  Messrs, 
H.  McL.  Green  &  Mcintosh,  which  was  established  here  November, 
1901.  This  firm  are  agents  for  the  sale  of  timber,  logs,  shingles  and  tar. 
They  act  as  agents  between  the  producers  in  the  forests,  and  the  manu- 
facturers and  large  consumers.  Their  intimate  connections  with  the 
latter  assure  prompt  sales  and  quick  returns.  They  invite  consign- 
ments in  any  quantities  and  generally  have  large  stocks  in  storage  so 
as  to  assure  quick  deliveries.  They  also  ship  the  products  in  large 
quantities  direct  from  the  forests  to  destination  as  may  be  required. 
The  facilities  of  the  house  assure  the  interests  of  both  purchaser  and 
shipper,  and  a  correspondence  with  the  the  firm  will  verify  the  truth  of 
this  statement.  The  trade  of  the  house  includes  shipments  to  all  parts 
of  the  country.  The  members  of  the  firm  are  Messrs,  Hector  McLean 
Green  and  Neil  Mcintosh,  Mr.  Green  has  been  identified  for  thirty- 
five  years  with  the  timber  trade  and  is  thoroughly  familiar  with  every 
detail  connected  with  it.  This  gentleman  is  also  treasurer  of  New 
Hanover  County.  Mr.  Mcintosh  also  possesses  an  intimate  knowledge 
of  the  business.  The  enterprise  is  a  most  useful  one,  calculated  to  en- 
hance the  commercial  facilities  of  the  locality. 


WILMINGTON  PEANUT  CO., 
Dealers  and  Shippers  of  Peanuts,  118  Dock  Street* 

There  are  here  a  number  of  concerns  whose  energies  are  devoted 
entirely  to  the  handling  of  peanuts.  Among  such  is  the  Wilmington 
Peanut  Company,  which  has  been  conducted  under  that  title  for  the 
past  five  years,  succeeding  Johnson  &  Co.,  which  was  established  in  the 
year  1884.  .  The  premises  at  the  above  address  comprise  an  area  of  fifty 
feet  square  on  the  street  floor  and  50x100  feet  on  the  floor  above. 
Special  machinery  is  used,  cleaning,  packing  and  shelling  the  nuts, 
operated  by  an  electric  motor,  and  some  twelve  employees  find  occupa- 
tion here.  The  Wilmington  Peanut  Company  obtain  their  supplies 
direct  from  the  growers  and  after  manipulating  them  as  above,  ship 
them  to  all  parts  of  the  country.  This  section  of  the  South  produces 
the  finest  grade  of  peanuts  grown.  There  are  known  as  North  Caro- 
lina "peas",  and  they  are  fuller  of  meat,  and  a  better  flavor  than  other 
varieties.  The  company  handle  large  quantities  of  these,  as  well  as 
what  are  known  as  Spanish  and  Virginia  peanuts,  also  high  grade 
varieties.  The  goods  reach  dealers  in  the  best  of  condition,  attractive 
and  free  from   dirt,   dust  and  other  impurities,  thus    enhancing  their 


THE    CITY  OF  WILMINGTON. 


91 


selling  properties  and  materially  adding  to  their  market  value.  The 
proprietor  of  this  business  is  Mr.  E.  F.  Johnson,  who  has  a  thorough 
experience  of  its  details.  This  gentlemen  also  takes  an  interest  in 
municipal  and  social  matters  and  in  the  general  welfare  of  the  city, 
and  is  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Aldermen.  Referring  again  for  a 
moment  to  the  business,  we  may  say  that  in  all  respects  it  is  one  with 
which  dealers  will  find  it  advantageous  to  open  and  continue  business 
relations. 


1<3nufacturersofdll kinds  of 

^u  mbet'Jwh,  Shinies,  Mouldings . 

fincyScrofttfortf^nirniri^  donefo  Order 


The  above  named  company,  representing  one  of  the  most  import- 
ant and  distinctive  branches  of  Wilmington's  industrial  pursuits,  was 
established  in  1886,  and  it  has  ever  since  been  carried  on  with  en- 
hanced success  and  growth  of  operations.  The  factory  is  of  two  floors 
and  is  L  shaped,  and  includes  the  planing  mill,  and  there  are  also  the 
sash,  door  and  blind  factory,  dry  kilns,  warehouses  on  Hanover  street, 
etc.  The  works  are  equipped  with  a  full  complement  of  labor  saving 
and  improved  wood-working  machinery  and  appliances,  about  forty 
men  being  here  furnished  employment.  The  best  of  shipping  facilities 
are  available,  the  railroad  tracks  entering  the  property,  connecting  it 
directly  with  the  railroad  system  of  the  country.  The  business  of 
the  company  is  both  wholesale  and  retail,  supplying  the  home 
demand  and  shipping  to  the  most  distant  points.  They  have  an- 
other plant  at  Castle  Hayne,  where  they  have  a  complete  saw  mill 
plant.  Here  they  manufacture  lumber,  shingles  and  lath,  having  a 
capacity  of  about  25,000  feet  per  day  of  lumber  and  about  30,000 
shingles.  About  thirty  men  are  employed  at  this  plant.  The  com- 
pany manufacture  their  lumber,  mainly  short  leaf  North  Carolina 
pine  from  the  log,  saw  it  and  dress  it  with  but  the  minimum  of  handling. 
They  ship  largely  to  Northern  markets  and  also  export  to  the  West  In- 
dies and  South  America.  They  also  do  a  very  large  local  trade  in  sash, 
doors,  blinds,  etc.,  in  regular  and  odd  sizes,  supplying  dealers  and 
builders  throughout  North  and  South  Carolina  and  Virginia.  They 
also  manufacture  mouldings,  do  fancy  work,  stair  work,  scroll  work 
and  turning,  store,  bank  and  office  interior  wood  work,  and,  in  fact, 
furnish  evervthing  required  for  the  building  of  a  house,  brick  work 
and  plumbing  alone  excepted.      They  are  enabled  to  promply   furnish 


92 


THE  CITY  OF  WILMINGTON. 


the  same  at  lowest  prices.  All  wood  is  carefully  dried  and  seasoned 
before  being  worked  and  the  personal  supervision  of  the  proprietors  is 
generally  exercised  over  all  departments.  The  company  also  make 
fruit,  vegetable  and  fish  boxes  for  truckers  and  fish  dealers.  Mr.  F. 
W.  Foster  is  president  of  the  company  and  Mr.  H.  A.  DeCover  secre- 
tary and  treasurer.  Both  may  be  said  to  be  practical  men,  familiar 
with  every  detail  pertaining  to  the  industry.  The  business  is  in  reali- 
ty the  only  one  of  the  kind  here,  at  once  supplying  an  important 
home  demand  and  making  large  shipments  to  a  distance. 

J.  H.  REHDER  &  CO., 

Wholesale  and  Retail  Dry  Goods,  Clothing,  Etc.,  615-619  North  Fourth  Street. 

We  offer  here  a  few  facts  relative  to  the  above  house,  which  trans- 
acts a  large  wholesale  and  retail  dry  goods  business,  which  is  one  of  the 
most  important  in  the  State.     The  enterprise  was  established  Septem- 


ber, 1887,  as  Polvogt  &  Rehder,  the  present  title  being  adopted  in 
1892.  The  premises  utilized  are  the  property  of  Mr.  J.  H.  Rehder,  and 
consist  of  three  stores  combined,  three  stories  high,  with  a  united  floor- 
age  area  of  17,000  square  feet.  The  whole  of  this  establishment  is 
stocked  with  goods  and  is  systematized  into  departments,  which  are 
dress  goods,  notions,  hosiery  and  underwear,  stationery,  shoes,  cloth- 
ing, gents'  furnishings  and  hats,  millinery,  carpets,  house  furnishing 
goods,  toys,  etc.  From  here  may  be  obtained  everything  in  the  way  of 
ladies'  and  gentlemens'  clothing  and  requirements  for  living,  excepting 
furniture  and  eatables.  Goods  are  procured  direct  from  the  manufac- 
turers and  importers  in  carload  lots,  are  bought  for  cash,  and  all  bills 
are  discounted.  A  specialty  of  the  house  is  the  millinery  department. 
The  firm  trim  their  own  hats  and  obtain  from  the  centers  of  fashion 
the  latest  New  York  and  Paris  designs,  enabling  them  to  be  at  the 
front  with  the  novelties  of  the  season.     The  house  has    also   a  branch 


THE  CITY  OF  WILMINGTON.  93 

establishment  at  Dixon,  N.  C. ,  where  they  transact  an  important  busi- 
ness. The  firm  supply  dealers  throughout  North  and  South  Carolina, 
and  they  have  two  commercial  travellers  on  the  road.  They  are  in  a 
position  to  offer  to  merchants  advantages  equal  to  any  of  their  con- 
temporaries. This  house  by  combining  wholesale  and  retail  operations 
are  enabled  to  handle  a  more  diversified  stock,  and  often  have  lines  to 
offer  not  always  to  be  procured  elsewhere.  The  firm  also  handle  at 
wholesale,  glassware,  woodenware,  tinware,  paper  and  paper  bags,  can- 
dies, willow  ware,  baskets,  brooms,  etc.,  and  in  fact,  almost  every- 
thing dealt  in  by  the  country  merchants.  Dealers  can  fill  up  defi- 
ciencies in  their  stocks  at  the  shortest  notice,  and  a  single  article  is  sup- 
plied upon  the  same  terms  as  a  carload  to  regular  customers.  About 
twenty-five  assistants  are  employed  in  the  business,  under  the  direction 
and  close  supervision  of  Mr.  J.  H.  Rehder,  the  proprietor,  who  thor- 
oughly appreciates  the  draft  of  public  taste  and  demand.  The  success 
of  the  house  must  be  largely  attributed  to  fair  dealing  and  a  strict  ad- 
herence to  every  representation  made,  also  to  such  low  prices  as  are  com- 
patible with  a  living  profit,  and  the  carrying  on  of  a  legitimate  business. 

ROGER  MOORE'S  SONS  &  CO., 
Builders'  Materials  Etc.,  104  and  106  North  Water  Street. 

It  was  about  fifteen  years  ago  when  Mr.  Thos.  F.  Bagley  insti- 
tuted the  above  named  enterprise.  Approximately  eight  years  later, 
Col.  Roger  Moore  acquired  the  sole  control  of  the  business.  This  gen- 
tleman died  April  25th,  1900,  and  on  May  oth  of  the  same  year,  the 
present  firm  was  organized,  the  copartners  being  Messrs.  P.  Q.  Moore 
and  Roger  Moore,  sons  of  the  former  proprietor,  and  Mr.  F.  R.  King. 
The  firm  utilize  in  their  business  two  buildings  at  the  above  address, 
comprising  five  floors,  a  warehouse  at  the  rear  for  storing  cement,  a 
wharf  across  the  street  for  brick,  sewer  pipe,  shingles,  etc,  another  on 
Front  street  for  lime,  and  additional  storage  facilities  along  the  line  of 
the  Carolina  Central  railroad.  The  location  of  these  premises  affords 
every  convenience  for  the  receipt  and  shipment  of  goods,  both  by  rail 
and  water.  The  firm  handle  brick,  cement,  lime,  roofing  paper,  shin- 
gles, sewer  pipe,  chimney  flue  pipe,  plaster  of  paris,  lath,  land  plaster, 
rived  shingles,  made  in  the  swamps  by  hand,  sawed  shingles,  etc. 
Among  specialties  handled  by  the  firm  are  Higginson's  hard  wall  plas- 
ter and  plaster  of  paris,  and  they  are  state  agents  for  the  Alpha  Port- 
land cement  and  the  Hoffman  Rosendale  cement.  All  goods  are  pro- 
cured direct  from  manufacturers  in  cargo  and  carload  lots  and  are  pur- 
chased for  cash.  The  firm  supply  the  city  trade,  also  dealers  and  others 
throughout  the  central  and  eastern  parts  of  the  state  and  they  are  en- 
abled to  offer  the  best  inducements  in  the  way  of  terms  and  prices, 
along  with  prompt  shipments.  The  firm  have  also  a  brick  yard  located 
almost  four  miles  from  the  city.  Here  they  employ  some  sixty  men 
and  produce  a  good  quality  of  common  brick.  The  yards  have  a  capacity 
of  about  45,000  brick  daily.  The  firm  also  do  an  important  lighterage 
business  in  loading  and  unloading  vessels.  Of  the  members  of  the 
firm  we  may  mention  that  Mr.  P.  Q.  Moore  devotes  his  energies  to  the 
management    of   the   brick    yard,  Mr.  Roger   Moore  to  the  official  and 


94  THE  CITY  OF  WILMINGTON. 

financial  departments,  and  Mr.  King  is  also  in  the  office.  All  are 
young  business  men  of  push  and  energy  working  for  their  share  of  pat- 
ronage by  legitimate  and  enterprising  methods. 

PEOPLES'  SAVINGS  BANK, 
North  Front  Street,  Opposite  Postoffice* 

The  growth  and  development  of  the  industrial  interests  of  this  city 
within  recent  years,  have  rendered  necessary  an  increase  of  banking 
facilities  for  the  people.  This  led  to  the  establishment  of  the  above 
mentioned  enterprise,  which  was  inaugurated  April  1st,  1900.  The 
bank  was  organized  with  a  capital  of  $30,000,  and  there  is  now  in  ad- 
dition a  satisfactory  surplus  for  the  time  since  elapsed.  The  loans  and 
discounts  average  over  $300,000  and  the  deposits  are  nearly  the  same 
amount,  The  bank  invites  deposits,  any  sum  from  twenty-five  cents 
upwards  being  accepted.  Interest  is  paid  at  the  rate  of  four  per  cent, 
per  annum  and  is  compounded  quarterly.  No  better  and  safer  invest- 
ment for  people  of  limited  means  is  available  than  is  offered  by  this  re- 
liable savings  bank,  the  accumulations  being  certain,  and  all  specula- 
tive risks  being  eliminated,  the  funds  held  in  trust  being  invested  with 
the  greatest  care,  only  substantial  and  safe  securities  being  availed  of. 
The  executive  officers  of  the  bank  are:  H.  C.  McQueen,  president  of 
the  Murchison  National  Bank,  president;  John  S.  Armstrong,  vice- 
president  of  the  Atlantic  National  Bank,  vice-president,  and  F.  W. 
Dick,  cashier.  The  directors,  in  addition  to  the  president  and  vice- 
president,  are:  E.  C.  Holt,  J.  A.  Springer,  M.  J.  Corbett,  William 
Calder,  Isaac  Bear,  M.  W.  Divine  and  J  H.  Chadbourn,  Jr.,  men 
whose  names  are  identified  with  some  of  the  leading  industries  of  the 
locality,  and  who  give  standing  and  character  to  any  enterprise 
with  which  they  are  connected.  The  bank  is  located  on  Front  street, 
directly  opposite  the  postoffice,  which  makes  it  convenient  to  visitors  to 
the  city. 

J,  W.  MURCHISON  &  CO,, 

Wholesale  and  Retail  Hardware,  109  North  Front  Street* 

The  above  well  known  and  reliable  enterprise  is  entitled  to  rank 
among  the  important  wholesale  and  retail  trade  resources  of  the  city. 
The  business  was  founded  in  1873  as  Giles  &  Murchison,  and  in  1894 
Mr.  J.  W.  Murchison  became  sole  proprietor.  In  1899  the  present 
firm  was  constituted.  In  connection  with  the  business,  a  large  store, 
140x30  feet,  is  utilized,  in  addition  to  the  basement  under  the  Murchi- 
son National  Bank  adjoining.  Thus  ample  accommodation  is  fur- 
nished for  the  handling  of  a  heavy  stock,  which  comprises  shelf  and 
builders'  hardware  of  every  description,  cutlery,  mechanics'  supplies, 
stoves,  agricultural  implements,  all  of  which  are  procured  by  the  firm 
direct  from  manufacturers  and  first  hands  generally,  and  which  are 
placed  before  the  trade  and  public  at  such  prices  and  terms  as  will  invite 
legitimate  competition  from  any  quarter.  Among  specialties  handled 
are  the  celebrated  Peninsula  stoves  and  ranges,  made  in  Detroit,  appli- 
ances, the  peer  of  any  made  anywhere.  The  firm  also  handle  Laflin  & 
Rand  Powder  Co  's  products.      The  trade  of  the  firm  is  within  a  radius 


THE  CITY  OF  WILMINGTON. 


95 


of  about  150  miles  from  Wilmington  and  entails  the  services  of  from 
twelve  to  fifteen  assistants,  including  two  commercial  travellers  on  the 
road.  They  have  the  best  of  inducements  to  offer  to  dealers,  which 
should  and  does  attract  the  current  of  patronage  in  their  direction.  The 
members  of  the  firm  individually  are:  Messrs.  J.  W.  Murchison  and 
W.  E.  Perdew,  both  gentlemen  devoting  their  full  and  close  energies 
to  their  business. 

THE  RHEmSTEwTRY  GOODS  CO., 

218-224  North  Front  Street. 

Especially  to  our  readers  without   the   city,  for   whom    this    work 


and  the  information  it  contains 
relative  to  the  well  known    and 


11§C9I^  111 


is  particularly  designed,  a  few  facts 
prominent  wholesale  dry  goods  house 
conducted  under  the  title  of  The 
Rheinstein  Dry  Goods  Co.,  will  be  of 
interest  and  value.  The  enterprise 
was  founded  in  1805  as  Aaron  & 
Rheinstein,  and  in  1887  the  firm  title 
of  F.  Rheinstein  &  Co  was  adopted. 
The  present  company  was  incorpor- 
ated in  1895.  Mr.  F.  Rheinstein  died 
January  1890,  and  his  interests  have 
since  been  assumed  by  Mrs.  F.  Rhein- 
stein, who  succeeds  him  as  president 
of  the  company.  The  store  occupied 
at  the  above  address  is  the  most  im- 
posing mercantile  structure  in  the 
city,  and  is  the  property  of  the  com- 
pany. It  was  built  especially  for  the 
business,  and  comprises  four  floors, 
covering  an  area  of  56x150  feet. 
Every  convenience  is  here  available, 
including  an  elevator  connecting  all 
the  floors.  Ample  accommodation  is  here  at  hand  for  the  carrying  of 
a  very  large  stock,  which,  without  going  into  useless  detail,  may  be 
said  to  comprise  everything  in  the  lines  of  dry  goods  and  notions,  suited 
to  the  trade  of  the  sections  of  the  country  for  which  the  house  caters. 
The  territory  travelled  over  by  the  five  commercial  representatives  of 
the  house  may  be  said  to  include  a  radius  of  250  miles  from  Wilming- 
ton. The  lengthened  experience  of  the  management  assures  that  only 
the  most  saleable  and  desirable  goods  are  offered  to  merchants,  and  its 
complete  facilities  and  close  connections  with  first  hands,  manufactur- 
ers and  importers,  enables  the  company  to  quote  the  very  lowest  prices 
to  the  trade.  As  before  said,  Mrs.  F.  Rheinstein  is  the  president  of  the 
company,  and  Mr.  L.  Bluethenthal  is  vice-president  and  treasurer,  with 
Mr.  G.  Dannebaum  as  secretary.  It  will  not  be  required  of  us  to  further 
indulge  in  personalities  here,  it  will  suffice  to  say  that  with  ample  cap- 
ital, close  connection  with  the  leading  markets,  complete  experience 
and  every  facility,  this  house,  the  oldest  established  and  largest  in  its 
line  here,  is  in  every  way  in  a  position  to  offer  the  best  inducements  to 
the  trade  within  the  circuit  of  its  business  operations. 


96  THE  CITY  OF  WILMINGTON. 


WILMINGTON  FLORAL  COMPANY, 
J.  A.  EVERITT,  Jr.,  Proprietor,  1503  Market  Street. 

Wilmington's  facilities  have  recently  been  materially  enhanced  by 
the  institution  of  the  Wilmington  Floral  Co.,  which  commenced  opera- 
tions here  December,  1901.  At  the  present  time  the  company  have 
two  green-houses,  comprising  about  6,000  to  7,000  feet  under  glass. 
The  facilities,  however,  are  about  to  be  enlarged  by  the  addition  of  two 
or  more  green-houses,  placing  the  enterprise  on  a  plane  with  the  most 
progressive  establishments  of  the  kind  in  the  State.  All  appliances 
and  equipment  are  quite  new  and  of  the  latest  improved  character,  and 
thoroughly  up-to-date.  The  company  supply  everything  in  the  way  of 
cut-flowers  and  floral  designs,  and  make  specialties  of  roses  and  carna- 
tions. In  roses,  they  grow  American  Beauties,  Maids,  Pearls,  Medias 
and  other  varieties.  They  also  make  a  specialty  of  English  violets. 
Personal  and  particular  attention  is  given  to  floral  decorations,  palms, 
ferns,  etc.,  this  being  a  special  branch  of  the  business,  in  which  they 
have  achieved  much  success  and  appreciation.  The  company  ship 
flowers  out  of  town  throughout  this  and  neighboring  states.  Mr.  J.  A. 
Everitt,  Jr.,  the  proprietor,  is  well  known  in  Wilmington.  He  is  de- 
termined to  succeed  in  his  new  venture  by  considering  the  interests  of 
his  patrons  in  every  way,  and  by  promptly  and  efficiently  satisfying  all 
demands.  Orders  in  the  city  may  be  given  by  telephone,  the  house's 
call  being  Bell  telephone  No.  438.  It  will  be  to  the  advantage  of  resi- 
dents and  others  at  a  distance  to  enter  into  bnsiness  relations  with  this 
house,  which  has  every  inducement  to  offer  in  the  way  of  the  most 
beautiful  varieties,  prompt  service  and  reasonable  prices. 

JOHN  H.  KUCK, 
Groceries,  Liquors,  Peanuts,  and  Packer  of  Mullets,  6  North  Water  Street. 

This  enterprise  is  an  exemplification  of  what  may  be  accomplished 
from  the  smallest  of  beginnings  by  industry  and  energy.  Mr.  John  H. 
Kuck  came  to  this  city  from  Germany  October,  1880,  and,  after  acting 
as  clerk  for  a  few  years,  became,  in  1886,  a  member  of  the  firm  of 
Glameyer  &  Kuck.  In  1891  he  became  sole  proprietor.  His  store  at 
the  above  address  is  his  property,  and  contains  groceries  of  all  descrip- 
tions, liquors,  etc.  Both  a  wholesale  and  retail  business  is  transacted, 
the  house  supplying  dealers,  farmers  and  others  within  the  states  of 
North  and  South  Carolina  and  Georgia.  A  special  department  is  ship 
chandlery,  vessels  coming  to  this  port  being  furnished  with  all  their 
needs  under  the  most  favorable  conditions.  Mr.  Kuck  also  transacts 
important  operations  in  peanuts,  which  he  obtains  largely  from  his  own 
plantation.  These  are  cleaned,  graded  and  shipped  to  all  parts  of  the 
country.  An  important  branch  of  Mr.  Kuck's  business  is  the  catch- 
ing, packing  and  shipping  of  mullets.  He  owns  his  own  fishing  vessel, 
which  is  the  "John  H.  Kuck,"  named  after  its  owner,  and  commanded 
by  Capt.  Lewis.  At  Shallotte,  N.  C,  are  Mr.  Kuck's  fishing  grounds, 
and  from  here  the  fish  are  brought  to  this  city,  assorted,  salted,  are 
packed  in  barrels  and  shipped  to  destination.  Another  specialty  is 
genuine  German  Rhine  wine,  which    Mr.  Kuck    imports    in  bulk  and 


THE  CITY  OF  WILMINGTON. 


97 


sells  both  at  wholesale  and  retail.  He  imports  also  genuine  Holland 
o-in,  put  up  by  him  in  bottles  under  his  own  label.  Mr.  Kuck  is  the 
owner  of  a  plantation  about  eight  miles  from  the  city.  This  is  about 
eighty  acres,  and  on  it  are  grown  all  kinds  of  crops,  a  specialty,  how- 
ever, being  made  of  peanuts  and  cotton. 

THE  COAL,  CEMENT  AND  SUPPLY  CO,, 

Coal,  Builders'  Materials,  Etc,,  214  South  Front  Street, 

An  acqusition  to  the  trade  conveniences  of  the  city  which  bids  fair 
to  be  of  large  value  to  the  community  generally,  is  that  which  was  in- 
stituted here  June  1st.,  1901.  The  company  have  every  facility  for 
advantageously  handling  their  products.  On  the  river  front  is  located 
their  coal  yards,  lumber  docks  and  warehouse  with  practically  unlimi- 


ted facilities  for  storage.  Here  also  they  have  a  steam  plant  for  cut- 
ting wood  and  for  the  operation  of  their  coal  elevator.  Supplies  come 
to  them  direct  in  cargo  lots,  and  the  railroad  tracks  adjacent  enable 
them  to  make  shipments  to  all  points  direct  from  the  establishment. 
The  company  also  have  their  own  brick  yard  at  Cronly,  seventeen  miles 
up  the  Cape  Fear  River,  where  they  turn  out  about  8,000  high  grade 
common  brick  daily.  The  company  deal  both  wholesale  and  retail  in  New 
River  soft  coal  and  Philadelphia  &  Reading  hard  coal.  These  are  of 
the  best  quality,  and  are  supplied  to  the  public  well  screened,  full 
weight  and  in  the  best  condition.  The  retail  business  in  Wilmington 
has  assumed  an  importrnt  character,  due  no  doubt  to  the  quality  of  the 
product  and  to  the  prompt  and  efficient  manner  in  which  all  orders  are 
filled.  The  company  ship  also  to  Georgia,  Florida,  North  and  South 
Carolina,  and  they  are  in  a  position  to  quote  the  closest  prices  and  to 
promptly  dispatch  the  mineral  to  destination.  This  is  an  important 
branch  of  their  business,  and  is  one  which  is  steadily  growing.  In 
builders'  materials  the}-  handle  the  "Giant"  brand  of  Portland  cement, 
manufacturered  by  the  American  Cement  Company  of  Philadelphia, 
"Germania"  imported  cement  from  Germany,  the  "Union"  Rosendale 
cement,  made  at  Philadelphia,  all  high  grade  products,  also  lime,  lath, 


98  THE  CITY  OF  WILMINGTON. 

hair,  King's  Windsor  hard-wall  plaster  and  King's  Windsor  "Diamond" 
brand  plaster  of  paris,  all  kinds  of  roofing  and  building  paper,  shingles, 
rough  and  dressed  lumber,  brick  of  their  own  manufacture,  fire  brick, 
fire  clay,  terra-cotta  pipe,  etc.  All  supplies  are  obtained  direct  from 
manufacturers  and  direct  sources,  and  are  handled  economically  and  are 
placed  at  the  disposal  of  the  trade  at  lowest  prices.  The  company  is 
in  a  position  to  compete  in  all  lines  with  their  comtemporaries,  no  mat- 
ter where  located.  The  officers  of  the  company  are:  D.  M.  Williams, 
president,  S.  P.  Adams,  vice-president  and  manager,  W.  G.  Elliott,  Jr., 
secretary  and  treasurer.  Mr.  Williams  is  of  the  firm  of  Williams  Bros., 
wholesale  grocers,  and  is  one  of  the  best  known  business  men  of  the 
city.  Mr.  Adams  is  a  civil  engineer  by  profession,  and  for  twelve 
years  was  in  the  employ  of  the  Atlantic  Coast  Line.  Mr.  Elliott,  Jr. 
was  for  seven  years  with  the  Merchants'  and  Miners'  Transportation 
Company  of  Norfolk.  These  gentlemen  bring  to  bear  upon  their  new 
enterprise  their  closest  attention  and  supervision,  studying  the  interests 
of  their  patrons  in  every  available  and  legitimate  way. 


D,  L  GORE  CO,, 

Wholesale  Grocers,  Druggists,  Etc,,  118  and  120  North  Water  Street, 

The  above  important  enterprise  was  instituted  in  1877,  when  it 
was  founded  as  Gore  &  Gore.  In  1878  Mr.  D.  L.  Gore  assumed  the 
sole  control  of  its  affairs,  and  continued  the  business  alone  until  1900, 
when  the  present  incorporated  company  was  instituted.  Extensive 
premises  are  utilized  comprising  four  stores  on  North  Water  street,  the 
whole  containing  a  floorage  area  of  41,000  square  feet.  Thus  ample 
facilities  are  available  for  the  carrying  of  a  large  stock  of  goods,  which 
probably  is  of  a  more  diversified  character  than  at  any  other  similar  en- 
terprise in  the  city.  The  company  are  wholesale  grocers,  embracing 
everything  that  this  implies.  They  are  also  wholesale  druggists,  carry- 
ing all  standard  goods, and  they  deal  in  grain, hay, hoop  iron, spirit  casks, 
nails,  etc,  in  fact,  almost  everything  handled  by  country  stores  general- 
ly. Of  course  it  goes  without  saying,  that  a  house  of  this  character 
obtains  its  stocks  from  original  sources  of  supply  in  every  instance,  and 
pay  cash  for  the  same.  A  special  department  of  the  business  is  in  pea- 
nuts, which  is  one  of  the  staples  of  this  part  of  the  country.  The  com- 
pany obtains  these  direct  from  the  growers,  shell  and  clean  them,  and 
ship  them  to  North  and  South  Carolina,  Alabama,  Georgia,  Tennesee, 
Florida,  etc.  The  quality  of  peanuts  grown  in  this  section  makes  them 
especially  desirable  to  dealers,  and  the  company  have  the  best  of  in- 
ducements to  offer  in  this  department.  The  D.  h.  Gore  Company  are 
also  commission  merchants,  handling  naval  stores  and  cotton,  inviting 
consignments  of  these  goods,  making  liberal  advances  and  assuring 
fair  prices,  quick  sales  and  prompt  returns.  The  executive  officers  of 
the  company  are:  D.  L.  Gore,  president,  h.  B.  Rogers,  vice-president, 
and  $|  C.  Gore,  secretary  and  treasurer.  All  of  the  above  are  well 
known  residents  of  the  community.  Mr.  D.  L.  Gore  has  been  connec- 
ted with  the  enterprise  from  its  inception.  He  has  always  been  active 
in  the  general  welfare,  and  is  identified  with  other  interests  of  impor- 
tance.     He  is  also  a  director  of  the  Atlantic  National  Bank,    president 


THE  CITY  OF  WILMINGTON.  99 

of  the  Carolina  Insurance  Company,  a  director  of  the  Bennettsville 
Manufacturing  Company  and  president  of  the  Great  Falls  Manufactu- 
ring Company  of  Rockingham,  N.  C. 

GEO*  R.  FRENCH  &  SONS, 

Wholesale  and  Retail  Boots  and  Shoes,  108  North  Front  Street. 

A  business  history  of  over  eighty  years  continuous  duration,  of 
necessity  requires  more  than  ordinary  recognition  at  our  hands.  Such 
a  history  is  that  of  the  above  named   enterprise,  which  was   founded  in 

_____ : .  the   year    1822   by    Mr.    Geo.    R.  French,  Sr. 

3spgjgg||ggfg^§  He  continued  to  conduct  it  successfully  alone 

3^W~gP-|2irF^^:!  until  1867,  when  the  firm  of  G.  R.  French  & 

Son  was  instituted,  Mr.  W.  A.  French  then 
jj^_|S^BSn|  -  entering  the  firm.  Mr.  G.  R.  French,  Jr., 
r-iTF^Trrjp  became  a  partner  in  1868.     In  1889  Mr.  Geo. 

fcgjjlaafll     R.  French,  Sr.,  died   in   his   88th    year.      He 
GE^^^E^a  | ;_.."        Was  a  man   of  strict    integrity  and  high  busi- 

^O^Ew-^^l"1^     liess  Prmciplesi  wno    lai<^    the    foundations  of 
the  house  upon  a  sound   and  solid   basis,  and 

__~lT;;-..I.-..-.„- :.:."~^j  he  was  deeply  regretted    by    a   wide   circle  of 

^^k^M  (Ml  fflllH  JSP*^^^    friends   and    contemporaries.      The  enterprise 

is  now  the  oldest  established  here  in  opera- 
;  I"  iff Vlil'i  B^wHrk  I  tion,  descending  from  father  to  son  without 
^^^B^^^^^pxi  break  or  cessation.  The  building  utilized  in 
l^^Z^S^S^' "^"w"1^  the  business  is  of  four  floors  and  basement, 
covering  an  area  of  25x115  feet,  and  is  the 
property  of  the  firm.  The  lower  part  is  used  for  the  retail  business," 
the  wholesale  operations  being  carried  on  in  the  floors  above.  The  firm 
are  wholesale  and  retail  dealers  in  boots,  shoes,  rubbers,  leather,  find- 
ings, etc.  The  stock  includes  all  grades  from  the  cheapest  to  the  finest 
and  all  patterns,  sizes  and  widths,  mainly  made  expressly  for  the  firm 
by  leading  manufacturers.  The  facilities  of  the  firm  enable  the  lowest 
prices  to  be  quoted  to  the  trade  throughout  North  and  South  Carolina, 
and  the  stock  is  as  full  and  complete  as  is  carried  by  any  house  either 
in  Baltimore,  New  York  or  elsewhere,  at  the  same  time  that  the  prox- 
imity of  headquarters  for  buying,  enables  dealers  to  obtain  their  goods 
promptly  and  at  lower  freight  rates,  any  quantity  being  supplied  from 
a  single  pair  to  a  carload.  In  the  retail  departments  here  may  be  pro- 
cured the  most  elegant  and  tasteful  footwear  for  ladies,  gentlemen  and 
children.  The  firm  are  exclusive  handlers  here  of  Zeigler's  ladies'  fine 
shoes  and  Bannister's  mens'  fine  shoes,  goods  that  will  compare  favora- 
bly with  any  in  the  country.  But  the  tastes  and  purses  of  all  classes 
are  catered  for.  Of  course  the  members  of  the  firm  are  naturally 
familiar  with  every  detail  of  the  business.  These  gentlemen  are  re- 
spectively Messrs.  G.  R.  French  and  W.  A.  French,  Sr.  The  first 
named  is,  we  may,  however  state,  vice-president  of  the  Chamber  of 
Commerce,  a  director  of  the  Atlantic  National  Bank,  of  the  Wilming- 
ton Gas  Light  Co.,  and  was  until  recently  president  of  the  Wilmington 
and  Seacoast  Railroad,  etc.  Both  gentlemen  give  close  attention  to 
their  business,  which,  with  such  a  lengthened  and  honorable  career,  is 
worthy  of  all  consideration  and  patronage. 


ioo  THE  CITY  OF  WILMINGTON 


A.  D.  BROWN, 
Dry  Goods,  Carpets  and  House  Furnishing  Goods,  29  North  Front  Street, 

Among  old  established  and  well-known  business  houses  of  this 
city  is  that  of  Mr.  A.  D.  Brown,  which  was  originally  instituted  in 
1867,  by  its  present  proprietor.  In  1874  the  firm  of  Brown  &  Roddick 
was  instituted.  Later  in  1893  Mr.  Brown  again  assumed  sole  control. 
The  store,  located  at  the  above  address,  comprises  three  floors  and  base- 
ment, each  of  the  dimensions  of  35x85  feet.  This  is  stocked  with  full 
and  complete  lines  of  dry  goods,  notions,  carpets,  house  furnishing 
goods  etc.  Specialties  are  made  of  silks  and  fine  dress  goods,  and  in 
this  department  a  choice  of  selection  is  rendered  both  pleasant  and  easy. 
In  the  carpet  department  may  be  selected  a  full  assortment  of  every 
discription,  also  matting,  rugs,  floor  cloths  etc.  The  stocks  in  all  de- 
partments are  indeed  particularly  full  and  complete,  offering  the  widest 
field  from  which  to  choose.  The  lengthened  experience  of  the  pro- 
prietor assures  that  the  right  kind  of  goods  are  handled,  and  that  the 
prices  shall  be  just  and  reasonable.  Mr.  A.  D.  Brown  is  a  native  of 
Dundee,  Scotland,  and  came  to  this  country  in  1857.  He  remained 
in  Boston  until  1860,  when  he  came  to  this  city.  He  has  been  connec- 
ted with  the  dry  goods  business  since  1851,  and  thus  has  over  a  half 
century's  experience  of  its  details.  In  view  of  the  character,  stand- 
ing and  facilities  of  this  old  established  concern,  it  is  safe  to  say  that 
it  has  inducements  to  offer  equal  at  least  to  any  of  its  contemporaries, 
and  its  reputation  assures  the  confidence  of  a  wide  circle  of  friends  and 
patrons 

AMERICAN  CHEMICAL  AND  TEXTILE  COLORING  CO., 
Dyers  of  Raw  Cotton,  Wilmington,  N.  C 

It  is  gratifying  to  have  to  record  of  an  industry  which  is  of  com- 
paritively  recent  origin,  and  which  also  is  of  such  a  useful  and  novel 
character  as  to  merit  special  recognition.  We  refer  to  the  American 
Chemical  and  Textile  Coloring  Company,  which  was  instituted  in  1899. 
The  plant  is  contained  in  a  building  adjacent  to  the  tracks  of  the  rail 
road,  affording  the  best  of  shipping  facilities.  The  works  are  operated 
by  steam  power,  and  include  dyeing  apparatus  and  special  machinery 
for  the  production  of  dyed  raw  cotton,  for  use  in  the  manufacture  of 
hosiery  and  underwear.  The  improved  processes  here  in  vogue  give  a 
product  far  superior  to  any  other  in  the  market.  The  cotton  is  dyed 
with  fast  anilyne  dyes  suitable  for  silver  grey  and  Jaeger  yarns.  By 
the  use  of  this  dyed  yarn,  factories  can  dispense  with  dye  works,  and 
will  find  this  dyed  cotton  much  more  economical.  The  location  of  the 
works  ensures  the  lowest  expense  of  production.  The  raw  material  is 
here  at  hand,  while  labor  is  low  priced,  at  the  same  time  that  the  im- 
proved methods  add  materially  to  the  economy  and  efficiency  of  the 
product.  The  capacity  of  the  works  at  the  present  time  allows  of  the 
production  of  about  3,000  to  4,000  pounds  of  dyed  cotton  daily,  and 
some  dozen  work-people  are  here  given  employment.  The  product  is 
shipped  to  mills  throughout  North  and  South  Carolina,  and  the 
demand  for  it  is  steadily  increasing.  Mr.  H.  M.  Chase  who  is  at  the 
head  of  the  enterprise  has  every  experience,    and  to  his  efforts  are  due 


THE  CITY  OF  WILMINGTON.  101 


the  establishment  here  of  the   industry,  which   by  its   success   should 
serve  as  a  pioneer    for  the  establishment  of  other  branches  of  industry. 


J.  C.  STEVENSON  CO., 

Wholesale  Grocers,  8  South  Front  Street, 

The  above  well  known  enterprise  was  founded  about  1870  as  J.  C. 
Stevenson  &  Taylor,  incorporation  taking  place  in  1898.  The  com- 
pany occupy  a  large  building  of  three  floors,  extending  from  Front 
street  to  Water  street,  and  covering  an  area  of  300x30  feet.  The  house 
handles  extensively  heavy  groceries  of  all  kinds,  provisions,  flour,  to- 
bacco, molasses,  cigars,  etc.  The  facilties  available  include  the  closest 
connections  with  original  sources  of  supply,  purchases  being  effected  in 
carload  lots,  often  for  spot  cash,  enabling  the  closest  prices  and  freshest 
of  goods  to  be  offered  the  trade.  A  specialty  is  made  of  salt  fish,  the 
company  getting  their  fish  direct  from  the  fishermen.  They  then  salt 
and  pack  it  and  ship  it  to  all  parts.  The  house  transacts  a  very  im- 
portant business  in  this  department.  The  business  of  the  house  ex- 
tends to  a  distance  of  250  miles  from  this  city  and  entails  the  services 
of  twelve  assistants,  including  three  commercial  travellers.  Mr.  J.  C. 
Stevenson,  the  president  of  the  company,  has  been  connected  with  the 
house  from  its  inception.  Mr.  Jas.  Stevenson  is  vice-president  and  Mr. 
S.  Jewett  is  secretary  and  treasurer.  Mr.  J  C.  Stevenson  is  also  a 
director  of  the  Murchison  National  Bank  and  of  the  Carolina  Central 
Railroad.  He  is  also  president  of  Oakdale  Cemetery  and  of  the  Wil- 
mington Loan  Co,  He  has  always  been  active  in  promoting  the  gen- 
eral welfare  of  this  community.  The  standing  of  this  house  is  beyond 
criticism,  and  it  is  entitled  to  a  prominent  place  among  the  leading 
wholesale  enterprises  of  this  city. 

MRS*  H.  REHDER,  Florist, 
Corner  Ninth  and  Red  Cross  Streets* 

The  art  of  the  florist  is  one  of  the  most  delightful  of  professions 
requiring  exquisite  taste,  skill  and  experience,  and  nowhere  are  these 
qualities  combined  in  a  greater  extent  than  in  the  proprietorship  and 
management  of  the  above  house.  The  enterprise  was  founded  twenty- 
seven  years  ago  by  Mrs.  H.  Rehder,  who  still  remains  the  proprietress. 
The  house  has  every  facility  for  the  transaction  of  an  important  whole- 
sale and  retail  business.  At  the  indicated  address  they  have  now  seven 
green  houses  and  they  are  about  to  add  two  more.  This  will  give  alto- 
gether about  12,000  square  feet  under  glass.  They  have  also  six  acres 
of  land  devoted  to  raising  nursery  stock  for  kitchen  and  flower  gardens. 
The  house  supplies  the  public  of  this  vicinity  with  every  description 
of  cut  flowers,  floral  designs,  etc.  for  funerals,  weddings,  etc.,  and  it 
makes  a  specialty  of  floral  decorations,  for  which  it  enjoys  the  highest 
reputation  and  transacts  an  important  business.  The  house  is  dis- 
tinguished for  good  taste  and  selection,  and  furnishes  all  kinds  of 
flowers  at  shortest  notice.  A  specialty  is  made  in  roses,  the  most 
popular  and  beautiful  varieties  being  procurable  here.  They  ship 
flowers  all    over    the    country,    also   bulbs,     shrubs,    etc.       A    unique 


102 


THE   CITY  OF  WILMINGTON. 


specialty  of  this  house  is  the  collecting  and  shipping  of  wild  plants 
some  varieties  of  which  are  very  rare  and  are  only  found  in  this' part  of 
the  country;  of  these  we  will  mention  what  are  populary  known  as  fly- 
traps, pitcher-plants,  sun-dews  and  trumpets,  which  are  shipped  all 
over  the  world,  a  number  of  them  having  recently  been  shipped  to 
England.  The  house  has  men  specially  engaged  searching  for  these 
rare  varieties,  and  they  receive  letters  of  enquiries  in  regard  to  them 
from  the  most  distant  points.  In  this  branch  it  especially  invites  cor- 
respondence, and  collectors  and  horticultural  societies  will  do  well  to 
write,  if  interested.  Mrs.  H.  Rehder,  the  proprietress,  is  a  practical 
florist  of  experience.  She  is  devoted  to  her  profession  and  is  ever 
striving  to  increase  and  enhance  its  reputation.  She  is  assisted  by  Mr. 
Henry  Rehder  and  Mr.  Will  Rehder,  the  latter  acting  as  manager.  He  is 
thoroughly  experienced  in  all  branches  of  the  industry. 

THE  INDEPENDENT  ICE  C(X, 
Seventh    and    Brunswick    Streets* 

The  Independent  Ice  Co.,  an  industry  of  recent  origin,  was  incor- 
porated November,  1901,  and  it  is  now  in  full  operation.      The  gentle- 


men inaugurating  the  enterprise  are  well  known  men  of  standing,  and 
areas  follows:  J.  A.  Springer,  president;  W.  E.  Springer,  vice-presi- 
dent; Daniel  H.  Penton,  secretary  and  treasurer,  and  L.  H.  Simmons, 
manager.  In  addition  to  the  above,  the  directors  are:  R.  W.  Wal- 
lace, W.  E.  Perdew  and  W.  G.  Whitehead.  The  plant,  just  com- 
pleted, comprises  the  latest  improved  and  most  modern  equipment. 
The  factory,  one  and  a  half  stories  in  height,  is  50x142  feet  in  dimen- 
sions, the  cold  storage  building  being  48x130  feet.  The  power  is  de- 
rived from  two  boilers,  each  150-horse  power,  the  engine  being  150- 
horse  power.  The  ice  is  made  by  what  is  known  as  the  compression 
system,  and  consists  of  two  single  acting  compression  pumps,  made  by 
the  York  Manufacturing  Co.,  of  York,  Pa.  The  capacity  of  the  fac- 
tory is  sixty  tons  of  ice  daily  and  the  cold  storage  is  about  2,500  tons 
capacity.  The  works  give  employment  to  about  twenty  men  and  a 
suitable  number  of  wagons  and  horses.    The  company  cater  for  the  trade 


THE  CITY  OF  WILMINGTON. 


103 


of  large  comsumers,  vessels,  hotels,  fish  and  meat  markets,  bars,  fruit 
shippers,  produce  dealers,  private  families,  etc.  They  aim  to  supply 
a  pure  ice  at  a  reasonable  price  and  to  guarantee  prompt  and  efficient 
service.  In  addition  to  the  local  trade,  shipments  will  be  made  to 
within  a  radius  of  150  miles  from  the  city.  The  modern  and  latest 
improved  character  of  the  plant  and  the  experience  of  the  management 
are  factors  that  should  give  the  company  every  facility-  Mr.  Simmons, 
the  manager,  has  been  connected  with  the  ice  business  for  a  number  of 
years,  and  understands  all  peitaining  to  it.  There  seems  to  be  no  ques- 
tion but  that  this  new  enterprise  will  command  its  full  share  of  public 
patronage. 

THE  GEO.  L  MORTON  CO., 

Manufacturers  of  Spirits  Turpentine,  Rosin,  Pitch,  etc*,  615  Nutt  Street. 

The  enterprise  now  known   as   the  Geo.  L.  Morton  Co.  was  origi- 
nally founded  by  Mr.  J.  Wilder  in  1868.     About  1872  the  firm  of  Wil- 


der &  Morton  was  organized.  In  1880  the  title  of  the  firm  was  changed 
to  Morton  &  Hall.  This  continued  till  about  1888,  when  Mr.  Geo.  L. 
Morton  became  proprietor.  Finally,  in  1892,  the  present  company 
was  instituted.  The  company  utilizes  a  plant  at  the  above  address, 
where  all  facilities  are  available,  including  stills  and  other  appliances, 
employment  being  furnished  for  about  fifteen  operatives.  The  basis 
of  the  products  manufactured  is  the  sap  of  the  North  Carolina  pine, 
the  company  buying  the  crude  material  as  it  comes  from  the  trees. 
Spirits  of  turpentine,  rosin  and  pitch  are  the  principal  products,  and 
these  of  the  best  quality  are  placed  at  the  disposal  of  the  trade  at  the 
very  lowest  current  prices.  The  goods  are  shipped  throughout  the 
North  generally,  from  the  Altantic  to  the  Pacific,  and  as  regards  tar, 
Pennsylvania  takes  large  quantities.  The  goods  are  sold  to  paint  deal- 
ers, varnish  manufacturers,  ship  chandlers,  and  largely  to  steel  works, 
who  use  it  for  blackening  the  steel  to  preserve  it  from  rust.  Rosin  is 
principally  sold  locally  for  export.      The    company    also    deal    in    tar, 


iQ4  THE  CITY  OF  WILMINGTON. 

which  is  supplied  as  required  in  barrels  and  cans.  In  connection,  the 
company  have  a  factory,  making  all  their  own  cans,  which  is  of  mate- 
rial aid  to  the  business.  The  enterprise  is  the  oldest  established  con- 
cern of  the  kind  here  and  the  second  oldest  in  the  State.  Mr.  J.  Wil- 
der, the  manager  of  the  business,  was  its  founder,  and  he  has  thus  been 
connected  with  it  for  a  period  extending  over  a  third  of  a  century. 
Connected  also  with  the  proprietorship  of  the  business  is  Mr.  Geo.  L. 
Morton,  who,  however,  devotes  his  time  to  other  interests.  He  is  con- 
nected with  the  Galena  Oil  Co.  and  the  General  Manifold  Co. ,  of 
Franklin,  Pa.  Mr.  Morton  is  also  State  Senator  for  this  district  and 
was  postmaster  at  Wilmington  from  1894  to  1898.  We  will  only  add 
further,  that  this  industry  may  be  classed  as  not  among  the  least  im- 
portant and  representative  of  North  Carolina's  distinctive  pursuits. 


SOL  BEAR  &  CO,, 

Rectifiers  and  Wholesale  Liquor  Dealers,  20  Market  Street, 

It  is  nearly  half  a  century  ago  since  Mr.  Sol.  Bear  established  his 
business  in  Wilmington,  having  founded  it  in  the  year  1853.  He  was 
engaged  in  the  dry  goods  trade  until  1897,  and  twenty-five  years  ago 
he  went  into  the  wholesale  liquor  business,  which  he  still  continues. 
The  business  is  now  carried  on  in  Mr.  Bear's  own  three  story  building, 
which  is  75x25  feet  in  area.  They  also  utilize  a  warehouse  adjoining. 
They  carry  in  stock  everything  in  the  line  of  domestic  and  imported 
wines  and  liquors,  and  do  their  own  rectifying  on  the  premises. 
Among  specialties  we  may  mention  their  brand  of  "Breezeland"  rye 
whiskey,  North  Carolina  apple  brandy  and  corn  whiskey,  also  Scupper- 
nong  wine,  a  fine  juice  of  the  grape  grown  in  this  locality.  A  very 
large  trade  is  transacted  with  dealers  and  others  throughout  this  and 
neighboring  states.  But  few  men  in  Wilmington  are  better  known 
than  Mr  Sol.  Bear,  who  is  identified  with  other  interests  here.  He  has 
been  president  of  the  Temple  of  Israel  since  its  organization.  Mr. 
Isadore  Bear,  his  son,  assists  him  in  the  management.  The  enterprise 
is  one  of  the  most  important  wholesale  houses  in  the  city,  with  the 
unique  distinction  of  being  the  longest  in  existence  under  a  single  pro- 
prietorship. 

ARMOUR  PACKING  COMPANY, 
Meats  and  Provisions,  Kansas  City,    Wilmington  Branch,  315  Nutt  Street* 

This  great  organization  has  been  represented  here  for  about  twelve 
years,  but  it  is  only  within  the  past  three  years  that  it  has  occupied  its 
convenient  premises  at  the  above  address,  which  comprise  a  building 
100x60  feet  in  area,  with  cold  storage  at  the  rear.  The  latter  is  30x50 
feet,  and  has  an  ice  capacity  of  seventy  tons.  One  room  is  for  beef, 
with  a  capacity  for  from  forty  to  fifty  carcasses,  the  other  is  utilized  for 
sausage,  pork  products,  butterine,  etc.  The  company  receive  their 
products  in  their  own  refrigerator  cars  direct  from  Kansas  City.  They 
are  iced  frequently  in  transit,  assuring  arrival  in  perfect  condition. 
The  products  include  fresh  beef,  mutton  and  pork,  every  kind  of  fresh 
and  salted  meats,  poultry,  game  of  all  kinds,  canned  goods,  butterine, 
etc.     The  trade  at  this  point  is  with  dealers  within  a  circuit  of  a  hun- 


THE  CITY  OF  WILMINGTON.  105 

dred  miles  from  the  city.  Of  course,  the  high  standard  of  the  products 
of  the  Armour  Packing  Co.  is  well  appreciated,  and  their  immense 
facilities  confer  on  them  large  advantages.  Mr.  J.  P.  Simmons  is  the 
manager  here,  having  filled  his  present  position  about  a  year.  He  has, 
however,  been  four  years  in  the  service  of  the  company.  He  may  be 
said  to  have  made  a  favorable  impression  with  the  trade  of  this  city  and 
locality. 


CHAS.  M.  WHITLOCK, 
Machine  Shop  and  Mill  Supplies,  102  S.  Water  St,  and  303   N.  Front   St. 

This  enterprise,  of  large  utility  to  the  city  and  neighboring  localities, 
was  established  in  1889,  and  it  now  transacts  operations  extending 
throughout  North  and  South  Carolina,  as  far  distant  as  Charleston. 
Mr.  Whitlock  deals  extensively  in  mill  supplies  and  machinery,  carry- 
ing a  stock  from  which  he  is  able  to  fill  all  ordinary  demands,  and  fur- 
nishing to  order,  anything  in  the  line  of  machinery  and  applian- 
ces, making  a  specialty  of  wood  working  and  metal  working  machinery. 
At  102  South  Water  street  Mr.  Whitlock  has  a  machine  and  black- 
smiths' shop,  devoting  particular  attention  to  repairing  of  every  des- 
cription. Work  is  done  in  this  line  by  skilled  workmen,  at  shortest 
notice,  and  the  charges  will  be  found  altogether  reasonable.  The 
works  are  operated  by  a  25  horse  power  electric  motor,  and  we  might 
mention  that  Mr.  Whitlock  was  the  first  man  in  the  State  to  utilize 
electric  power  for  operating  an  enterprise  of  this  character.  The  house 
has  done  a  great  deal  of  work  for  mills  and  factories  throughout  this 
and  neighboring  state.  He  also  does  considerable  marine  work.  He 
equipped  with  machinery  and  boiler,  the  steamer  Chas.  M.  Whitlock, 
named  after  him.  The  house  has  a  man  on  the  road  soliciting  patron- 
age from  manufacturers  and  others.  Those  who  entrust  their  interests 
to  this  house,  may  depend  that  every  effort  will  be  put  forth  to  render 
efficient  and  satisfactory  service. 


CHARLES.  D.  FOARD, 

Wholesale  and  Retail  Hardware,  26  South  Front  Street. 

The  above  named  enterprise  is  entitled  to  due  recognition  in  these 
pages.  It  was  founded  by  Mr.  Chas.  D.  Foard,  about  five  years  ago. 
It  at  once  gained  the  appreciation  of  the  general  public,  and  each  year 
has  witnessed  an  increase  of  trade  and  operations.  The  store  is  of  two 
floors,  covering  an  area  of  70x35  feet  in  dimensions.  The  lines  of 
goods  here  handled,  include  a  general  assortment  of  shelf  and  builders' 
hardware,  manufacturers'  and  builders'  supplies,  stoves,  tin-ware,  house 
furnishing  goods,  etc.  A  large  and  well  selected  stock  in  all  depart- 
ments is  carried,  and  eighteen  years  experience  possessed  by  the  pro- 
prietor gives  him  a  thorough  knowledge  of  the  requirements  of  this 
locality,  and  a  familiarity  with  the  most  advantageous  sources  of  supply 
from  where  to  obtain  his  goods.  We  may  here  mention  that  the  house 
handles,  in  stoves  and  ranges,  the  well  known  "Farmer  Girl"  products, 
manufactured  by  The  Liebrandt,  McDowell  Stove  Company,  of 
Philadelphia.      Mr.  Foard  does  not  confine  his   operations   to  the  city, 


106  THE  CITY  OF  WILMINGTON. 

but  transact  quite  a  wholesale  business  with  dealers  within  100  miles 
radius  of  Wilmington.  Mr.  Foard  was  formerly  with  the  well  known 
hardware  house  of  Alderman,  Flanner  &  Co.,  prior  to  embarking  in  his 
present  enterprise,  He  is  thoroughly  conversant  with  all  pertaining 
to  the  trade. 

PETER  McQUEEN,  jr., 
Wholesale  Grocer,  106  North  Water  Street, 

A  recent  addition  to  the  wholesale  business  of  this  city  is  the  en- 
terprise of  Mr.  Peter  McQueen,  Jr.,  who  established  it  August  15th, 
1901.  This  gentlemen  brings  to  his  undertaking  an  experience  of  the 
wholesale  grocery  trade,  acquired  in  the  employment  of  a  well-known 
similar  enterprise  here.  He  occupies  suitable  premises  at  the  above 
address,  comprising  two  floors  90x24  feet  in  dimensions,  where  he  car- 
ries full  lines  of  staple  and  fancy  groceries,  including  canned  goods, 
flour,  sugar,  coffee,  salt  meats  etc.,  the  whole  judiciously  selected  for 
the  trade  of  this  locality.  Mr.  McQueen  supplies  merchants  within  a 
radius  of  100  to  150  miles  distant  from  this  city  and  travels  on  the  road 
a  commercial  representative.  The  house  obtains  its  supplies  direct 
from  original  sources,  and  having  all  required  capital  is  enabled  to  go 
to  the  market  under  the  most  favorable  conditions.  The  business 
policy  adopted  by  the  house  includes  supplying  the  very  best  quality 
of  goods  at  lowest  prices,  promptness  in  the  execution  of  all  orders, 
liberality,  and  the  careful  fostering  of  the  true  interests  of  patrons.  Mr. 
Peter  McQueen,  Jr.,  is  a  well-known  young  business  man,  and  it  is  not 
too  much  to  say  that  he  has  the  good  will  of  his  trade  contemporaries, 
and  we  anticipate  for  this  young  house  a  successful  career,  based  upon 
the  valuable  inducements  it  has  to  offer  its  customers. 

HEYER  BROS,, 

Wholesale  Grocers,  216  &  218  North  Water  Street. 

The  history  of  this  house  may  almost  be  said  to  be  contem- 
poraneous with  the  history  of  the  city  itself.  It  was  founded  as  long 
ago  as  1842,  by  Mr.  John  C.  Heyer.  In  1883  Mr.  M.  J.  Heyer  became 
the  proprietor  and  in  1898  the  firm  of  Heyer  Bros,  was  instituted,  the 
co-partners  being  Messrs.  John  C.  Heyer  and  Geo.  H.  C.  Heyer,  the 
sons  of  the  founder,  who  died  in  1887.  The  business  is  carried  on  in 
a  two  story  building  of  an  area  of  about  36x165  feet.  Here  is  con- 
tained a  large  stock  of  heavy  and  fancy  groceries,  the  first  named  being 
disposed  of  to  dealers  within  a  radius  of  a  hundred  miles  from  the  city, 
the  fancy  trade  being  largely  with  Wilmington  dealers.  The  firm 
have  every  facility.  Their  goods  are  well  selected  with  a  due  apprecia- 
tion of  the  requirements  of  the  trade  and  public.  The  house  is  repre- 
sented on  the  road  by  two  commercial  travellers.  The  members  of  the 
firm  possess  a  complete  familiarity  with  every  detail  of  the  business, 
having  as  it  were  grown  up  with  it  from  boyhood.  The  reputation  of 
a  time  honored  house,  such  as  this,  inspires  every  confidence,  and  its 
standing  and  position  in  trade  circles  have  always  been  unimpared. 
We  are  glad  to  chronicle  here  of  an  enterprise,  which  for  so  long  has 
been  before  merchants  arid  the  public,  and  which  is  a  pioneer  of  the 
wholesale  trade  of  this  city. 


THE  CITY  OF  WILMINGTON.  107 


THE  A.  DAVID  COMPANY, 
Wholesale  and  Retail  Clothing  and  Merchant  Tailoring,  Front  &  Princess  Sts« 

Mr.  A.  David,  who  still  remains  at  the  head  of  its  affairs,  establish- 
ed the  above  enterprise  about  thirty  years  ago.  About  ten  years  ago 
the  firm  of  A.  David  &  Co.  was  instituted,  and  in  1898  the  business 
was  incorporated  under  its  present  title.  The  president  is  Mr.  A.  David, 
the  founder  of  the  enterprise;  Mr.  L-  Stein,  his  son  in  law,  is  secretary 
and  treasurer,  Mr.  E.  E.  David,  son  of  the  president  is  vice-president.  The 
store  occupied  is  of  three  floors  and  basement,  and  is  of  the  dimensions  of 
25x80  feet.  The  ground  floor  is  used  for  the  retail  business,  and  the  up- 
per part  and  basement  are  utilized  for  the  wholesale  departments.  The 
companv  carry  a  complete  assortment  of  clothing  in  all  grades,  from 
the  cheapest  to  the  finest;  the  goods  being  manufactured  especially  for 
the  house,  and  paid  for  in  spot  cash,  thus  enabling  the  lowest  prices  to 
be  offered  to  the  public.  The  gents'  furnishing  department  is  also 
up-to-date.  Particular  attention  is  given  to  fine  merchant  tailoring, 
the  company  catering  to  the  patronage  of  men  of  taste,  who  appreciate 
fine  materials  and  good  workmanship.  As  regards  the  wholesale  trade 
we  may  at  once  say  that  merchants  within  the  Carolinas,  will  find  their 
interests  best  served  in  transactions  with  this  firm,  who  thoroughly  un- 
derstand their  market,  and  what  goods  are  of  the  most  ready  selling 
character,  and  most  suitable  for  this  section  of  the  country.  The  com- 
pany by  virtue  of  lengthened  experience  and  ample  capital,  have  the 
best  of  inducements  to  offer  to  merchants  and  the  public  generally. 

RHODES  &  HINTZE, 
Dealers  in  Fresh  Meats,  Front  Street  Market, 

The  business  now  under  comment  was  founded  as  lono-  aso  as 
1867  by  I.  B.  Rhodes,  the  present  senior  partner.  He  continued  the 
enterprise  until  October,  1869,  when  for  a  time  he  left  the  city.  He 
resumed  it  however  in  1872,  conducting  it  alone  until  March  1901, 
when  the  present  firm  was  organized.  In  addition  to  the  stall  in  the 
Front  Street  Market,  the  firm  have  a  slaughter  house  about  two  miles 
from  the  city,  where  the  very  best  quality  of  home  fed  cattle,  sheep  and 
hogs  are  prepared  for  sale.  The  specialty  of  the  house  is  fine  meat, 
no  inferior  cattle  being  purchased  Here  can  be  obtained  the  finest 
cuts  that  can  be  procured,  at  the  same  time  that  the  prices  are  reason- 
able, and  every  representation  made  may  be  relied  upon.  The  trade  of 
the  house  is  both  wholesale  and  retail  with  dealers  in  the  city  and 
vicinity,  large  consumers  such  as  hotels,  restaurants,  shipping,  etc. 
The  members  of  the  firm  individually  are  Messrs.  I.  B.  Rhodes  and 
J.  H.  Hintze.  The  first  named  has  been  connected  with  the  meat  busi- 
ness all  his  life  and  his  partner  has  been  identified  with  it  since  he  was 
twelve  years  old.  Thus  is  ensured  a  thorough  familiarity  of  all  its  de- 
tails, and  a  complete  appreciation  of  the  requirements  of  the  Wilming- 
ton public  in  this  direction.  Mr.  Rhodes  is  also  engaged  in  the  wine 
and  liquor  business,  having  a  place  on  Princess  street,  between  Front 
and  Second  streets.  This  he  has  been  in  occupation  of  for  the  past 
seventeen  years.  He  also  owns  a  farm  where  the  slaughter  house  is 
located.     This  consists  of  123^  acres,  upon  which  are  grown  corn  and 


log  THE  CITY  OF  WILMINGTON. 

sweet  potatoes,  utilized  in  the  fattening  of  stock.  Concluding  we  may 
say  that  the  house  enjoys  the  full  confidence  of  the  public,  and  may  be 
relied  upon  for  every  courtesy  and  fair  dealing. 


G  W,  YATES  &  CO,, 

Books,  Stationery,  Etc,  117  Market  Street, 

The  above  well-known  house,  catering  to  the  more  cultured  tastes 
of  the  community  has  always  been  a  favorite  with  the  Wilmington 
public  since  its  foundation  in  1868,  when  it  was  instituted  by  Mr.  C. 
W.  Yates,  the  senior  member  of  the  present  firm.  The  premises  occu- 
pied consist  of  a  three  story  building  120x24  feet,  which  is  Mr.  Yates' 
property,  and  it  has  been  especially  adapted  and  arranged  for  the  busi- 
ness. The  stock  consists  of  books  and  current  literature  of  every  des- 
cription; school  books,  church  services,  hymnals  etc.  Also,  fine  sta- 
tionery, commercial  stationery,  office  furniture  and  supplies,  pictures 
in  large  variety,  picture  frames  from  stock  or  to  order,  artists'  materials 
wall  paper  and  window  shades;  sporting  goods,  games  of  all  kinds  etc. 
Any  article  not  in  stock  can  be  promptly  obtained  to  order.  The 
business  includes  important  jobbing  operations,  within  about  one 
hundred  miles  distant  from  the  city.  The  firm  have  the  best  induce- 
ments to  offer  the  trade,  including  promptness,  decreased  freight  rates, 
and  lowest  prices.  The  house  is  sole  agent  for  this  section  of  the  cele- 
brated Remington  Typewriter,  also  for  the  Globe- Wernicke  Filing  Cases 
and  office  supplies.  The  members  of  the  firm,  Messrs.  C.  W.  Yates 
and  D.  C.  Love,  are  well-known  residents.  Mr.  Yates  is  a  director  of 
the  Atlantic  National  Bank,  and  is  president  of  the  North  Carolina 
Building  and  Loan  Association.  He  is  also  on  the  Board  of  Audit  and 
Finance  of  the  city  and  takes  a  keen  interest  in  the  general  wellfare. 
Mr.  Love  has  been  a  member  of  the  firm  for  the  past  five  years,  but  he 
has  been  connected  with  the  enterprise  since  its  inception.  He  is 
president  of  the  Clarendon  Savings  and  Loan  Association,  and  of  the 
Hydraulic  White  Brick  Co.,  a  recently  established  important  enterprise. 

J,  F.  GARRELL  &  CO,,  (Incorporated,) 
Wholesale  and  Retail  Cattle,  Sheep  and  Hogs,     Office  City  Market, 

The  foundations  of  the  above  business  were  laid  in  1867,  when  Mr. 
J.  F.  Garrell  instituted  the  enterprise.  It  was  incorporated  as  at  pre- 
sent constituted,  February  1901.  The  company  devote  their  energies 
to  the  handling  of  cattle,  sheep  and  hogs,  killing  and  dressing  them 
for  the  local  market.  They  have  four  retail  stalls  in  the  city  market- 
the  Palace  market  at  Second  and  Market  streets,  and  they  are  about  to 
operate  two  others,  one  at  Sixth  and  Chesnut  streets,  and  another  on 
Fourth  street  between  Brunswick  and  Bladen  streets.  The  company 
have  a  plantation  a  mile  beyond  the  city,  upon  which  they  raise  hay 
and  corn  for  feed.  Here  is  the  slaughter  house.  They  have  recently 
erected  sheds,  with  stalls  for  feeding  500  head  of  cattle.  Thus  the 
meat  obtained  is  of  the  best  quality,  the  cattle  being  brought  to  a  hio-h 
state  of  perfection  before  being  killed.  The  company  have  just  install- 
ed a  complete  cold  storage  plant,  which  has  a  capacity  for  300  carcasses. 


THE  CITY  OF  WILMINGTON  109 


In  connection  with  the  enterprise,  they  are  about  to  renew  the  manu 
factuie  of  fertilizers,  putting-  in  the  latest  improved  and  best  machinery 
for  the  purpose.  Their  facilities  of  obtaining,  under  the  most  favorable 
conditions,  the  bases  of  blood  and  bone,  hoofs  and  horns,  will  operate 
largely  in  the  direction  of  economy,  and  the  production  of  high  grade 
goods,  which  are  known  by  their  brand  title  of  l>Sans  Souci"  High 
Grade  Fertilizers.  They  will  be  sold  throughout  North  and  South 
Carolina.  The  executive  officers  of  the  company  are:  John  F.  Garrell, 
president,  Joseph  D,  Smith,  secretary  and  treasurer  and  J.  J.  Hopkins, 
general  manager.  Mr.  Garrell  is  particularly  well  known  in  the  com- 
munity. He  was  formerly  engaged  in  the  fertilizer  business,  and  in 
truck  farming.  As  an  authority  on  trucking,  he  has  been  quoted  in 
"S,  A.  L.  Magundi,  a  paper  published  some  time  ago  by  the  Seaboard 
Air  Line,  in  the  interests  of  Wilmington.  The  enterprise  over  which 
he  now  presides,  is  of  large  value  to  the  city  and  serves  to  render  it  in- 
dependent of  outside  sources  of  supply,  as  regards  the  important  item  of 
high  class,  fresh  home  killed  meats,  which  constitutes  one  of  our  most 
vital  daily  requirements.  We  anticipate  for  the  industry,  that  full 
measure  of  enlarged  success,  to  which  its  enterprise  and  utility  justly 
entitle    it. 


WILLARD  BAG  AND  MANUFACTURING  CO., 
Manufacturers  of  Bags  and  Overalls,  19  &  21  South  Water  Street* 

The  Willard  Bag  and  Manufacturing  Company  was  incorporated 
in  1893,  and  tu-day  its  operations  are  upon  a  most  important  scale,  and 
its  products  are  shipped  throughout  the  South  generally.  The  build- 
ing containing  the  plant  is  of  two  floors  140x23  feet  in  area  with  an 
annex  35x25  feet.  The  appliances  here  in  use,  include  twenty-two 
sewing  machines,  five  special  machines  for  button-holeing  and  felling, 
five  printing  presses  for  printing  brand  names  on  bags,  and  other  minor 
appliances,  the  whole  operated  by  two  electric  motors,  each  of  fifteen 
horse  power,  with  gas  engine  in  reserve.  The  company  manufacture 
bags  for  salt,  fertilizers,  flour,  meal,  cement,  peanuts,  and  made  both 
of  cotton  and  burlaps,  the  latter  being  imported  by  the  house  from  the 
East  Indies.  Their  plant  is  complete  and  thoroughly  up-to-date  and 
all  work  is  done  on  the  premises,  even  stereotypes  for  printing  the  bags 
are  made  here,  and  they  do  their  own  engraving.  This  house  is  the  only 
one  of  the  kind  in  this  state,  and  it  obtains  better  results  in  proportion 
to  size  and  expense  of  plant,  than  any  other  similar  enterprise 
anywhere.  The  capacity  of  the  works  is  from  20,000  to  25,000  bags 
daily,  and  they  cut  up  about  3,500,000  yards  of  cloth  annually.  The 
company  employ  some  seventy-five  hands  in  the  bag  department,  mak- 
ing a  particular  specialty  of  fertilizer  bags.  In  the  annex  is  the  overall 
factory,  about  twenty  white  hands  being  here  employed.  They 
make  overalls  for  individual  concerns  under  the  latter' s  own  brand 
names,  and  they  are  now  filling  a  very  large  order  for  a  New  York 
house.  Their  goods  are  well  made  and  durable,  the  material 
used  being  known  as  Denims,  or  Blue  Jeans.  The  house's  facilities  in 
all  departments  are  of  the  best,  conducing  to  economy,  and  the  highest 
character  of  product.      Mr.  M.    S.   Willard,  of  Willard  &  Giles,    insur- 


no  THE  CITY  OF  WILMINGTON. 

ance  agents,  is  president,  Mr.  A.  A.  Willard  is  superintendent, 
and  Mr.  E.  Payson  Willard  is  secretary  and  treasurer.  The  latter 
gentlemen  exercise  their  closest  supervision  over  the  details  of  the  in- 
dustry, which  is  one  that  has  contributed  in  no  slight  degree  to  the 
reputation  of  the  city  as  a  manufacturing  point  and  distributing  center. 


FISHBLATE  CLOTHING  COMPANY, 
Clothing  and  Gents'  Furnishings*    Masonic  Temple* 

The  business  of  the  Fishblate  Clothing  Company  was  originally 
established  in  1869  by  Mr.  S.  H.  Fishblate,  adopting  its  present  desig- 
nation in  1898.  The  store  is  100x25  feet  in  dimensions,  with  an  annex 
35x50  feet.  It  is  one  of  the  handsomest  in  the  city,  and  it  is  located  in 
the  Masonic  Temple,  an  illustration  of  which  appears  on  page  26. 
The  stock  is  one  of  the  best  and  extensive  in  the  State,  and  embraces 
all  the  essentials  of  high  grade  and  medium  clothing,  most  of  it 
being  made  for  the  house  by  some  of  the  leading  manufacturers  in  the 
country.  The  main  stock  is  the  production  of  Strouse  &  Bros.,  of  Bal- 
timore, whose  products  are  renowned.  All  sizes  are  kept  in  store  and 
the  requirements  of  all  classes  are  catered  for.  The  trade  of  the  house 
is  not  only  in  the  city,  but  is  also  drawn  from  surrounding  districts. 
Gents'  furnishings  are  also  carried  in  large  variety  and  of  the  best  selec- 
tion. Mr,  S.  H.  Fishblate  is  president  and  manager,  and  Mr.  J.  W. 
Fleet  is  secretary  and  treasurer.  The  head  of  the  house  has  been  for 
over  thirty  years  connected  with  the  clothing  business,  and  is  entirely 
familiar  with  every  detail  connected  with  it.  He  has  always  taken  an 
interest  in  the  well  being  and  progress  of  the  community,  and  has  been 
Mayor  of  Wilmington  four  terms,  in  all  eight  years.  It  is  not  too 
much  to  say,  that  no  house  in  the  city  enjoys  more,  the  full  confidence 
of  the  community,  and  where  better  inducements  are  offered  the  public. 

THE  GLOBE, 

W-  B,  Schuler,  Manager,  22  Market  Street* 

The  above  popular  resort  was  established  some  four  years  ago,  and 
it  has  since  succeeded  in  acquiring  the  favor  and  appreciation  of  the 
Wilmington  public.  It  is  most  centrally  located  in  the  very  heart  of 
the  business  section,  at  a  point  where  the  principal  thoroughfares  inter- 
sect, and  but  a  few  steps  from  the  river,  and  the  Southport  steamboat 
landing.  The  house  caters  for  the  best  class  of  trade,  and  offers  to  pat- 
rons the  finest  selection  of  imported  and  domestic  wines,  liquors  and 
cigars,  everything  here  being  of  the  best.  A  specialty  is  made  of  mix- 
ed and  fancy  drinks  in  the  summer  season,  the  house  having  a  repu- 
tation in  this  regard.  Another  specialty  is  light  lunches,  including  the 
finest  oysters  and  clams,  soft-shell  crabs,  and  other  delicacies  in  season. 
Mr.  Willie  Schuler  is  manager,  and  he  is  courteous,  obliging  and  pop- 
ular. He  strives  to  please  his  patrons  by  giving  them  the  best  of  goods, 
along  with  every  attention.  The  "Globe"  may  be  quoted  as  among 
the  most  desirable  establishments  of  the  kind  here,  and  visitors  to  the 
city,  as  well  as  residents,  will  do  well  to  bestow  upon  it  a  measure  of 
their  support  and  patronage. 


THE  CITY   OF  WILMINGTON.  in 

S.  &  B.  SOLOMON, 

Wholesale  Dry  Goods,  Clothing,  Hats,  Shoes,  Etc*  Front  &  Market  Sts. 

For  nearly  thirty  years  the  above  house  has  been  prominent  in 
business  circles  at  Wilmington.  It  was  founded  in  1874  by  Mr.  B. 
Solomon,  the  present  firm  dating  from  1876.  The}'  occupy  at  the  pre- 
sent time  very  commodious  premises  comprising  six  stores,  which  are 
heavily  stocked  with  goods.  The  house  handles  both  at  wholesale 
and  retail,  everything  in  the  lines  of  dry  goods  and  notions,  clothing, 
hats,  gents1  furnishings,  etc.  The  stock  in  all  departments  is  particu- 
larly full  and  varied,  and  especially  suited  to  the  requirements  of  the 
country  centering  100  miles  from  Wilmington.  A  particular  line  is 
boots  and  shoes,  and  merchants  will  find  that  the  firm  have  the  best 
of  inducements  to  offer,  in  this  department  as  in  others.  Messrs.  S.  & 
B.  Solomon  have  a  number  of  men  constantly  on  the  road,  calling  on 
patrons,  and  they  also  solicit  orders  by  mail,  assuring  patrons  immedi- 
ate attention,  and  prompt  shipments.  As  regards  the  facilities  of  the 
firm,  we  can  only  say,  that  its  experience  and  reputation  are  such  that 
the  most  advantageous  purchases  are  made  direct  from  the  factories, 
and  the  lowest  prices  invariably  are  quoted.  The  members  of  the  firm 
are  both  well  known  residents.  Mr.  S.  Solomon  is  a  director  of  the 
Carolina  Insurance  Company.  This  house  has  always  enjoyed  the 
highest  reputation  for  fair  dealing  and  liberality,  which  no  doubt  has 
been  influential  in  building  up  their  important  and  growing  business. 


THE  CORBETT  COMPANY, 
Wholesale  Commission  Merchants  and  Manufacturers'  Agents*  A*  C*  L  Yards* 

The  enterprise  now  operated  under  the  above  designation,  is  the  old- 
est established  provision  commission  house  here,  and  it  has  always 
been  able  to  hold  its  own  in  competition  against  the  largest  organiza- 
tions. It  was  founded  in  1881  as  W.  I.  Gore  &  Co.,  and  in  1807  the 
firm  title  became  Corbett  &  Co.  Finally  during  the  current  year  the 
business  was  incorporated  as  The  Corbett  Company.  Mr.  M.  J.  Cor- 
bett who  is  at  the  head  of  the  concern,  was  a  partner  in  the  parent 
house  and  has  always  been  connected  with  the  business.  The  house 
occupies  a  building  150x75  feet  at  the  Atlantic  Coast  Line  yards,  and 
being  adjacent  and  contiguous  to  the  river,  affords  the  best  of  shipping 
facilities.  The  company  are  commission  merchants  and  manufacturers' 
agents,  handling  dry  salt  meats,  lard, flour,  coffee,  sugar  and  grain,  exclu- 
sively at  wholesale  to  jobbing  houses  in  North  and  South  Carolina. 
The}*  handle  the  goods  on  a  brokerage,  obtaining  their  profit,  as  far  as 
possible,  from  the  manufacturer  and  not  the  merchant.  Being  in  close 
touch  with  producers,  they  are  enabled  to  place  the  goods  before  the 
trade  at  lowest  current  prices.  Grain  is  received  direct  from  the  West 
in  car  load  lots,  and  all  other  products  from  the  original  sources  of  supplv. 
The  company  represent  on  this  market  the  well  known  Anglo-Ameri- 
can Provision  Company,  as  regards  meats;  the  patent  and  half  patent 
flour,  manufactured  by  Wm.  Dubel  &  Co.,  of  Ypsilanti,  Mich.,  and 
they  have  handled  them  for  twenty  years,  during  which  period  the  pro- 
ducts have  always  given  full  satisfaction,    the   trade   entirely  realizing 


ii2  THE  CITY  OF  WILMINGTON 

their  quality  and  uniformity.  Mr.  M.  J.  Corbett  has  been  associated 
with  the  Carolina  trade  for  nearly  a  quarter  of  a  century.  He  is  also 
allied  with  other  enterprises  of  local  interest.  The  business  over  which 
he  presides  has  every  advantage,  which  capital  and  experience  can  com- 
mand, and  enjoys  the  appreciation  and  confidence  of  all  brought  into 
business  contact  with  it. 


J.  H*  HARDIN, 
Wholesale  &  Retail  Druggist  and  Truckers'  Supplies,  126  So*  Front  St* 

There  is  probably  no  occupation  under  the  sun  in  which  care,  ex- 
perience and  knowledge  are  so  essential  as  that  of  the  druggist,  and  the 
above  establishment  is  one  of  the  most  reliable  in  Wilmington,  having 
been  established  by  its  proprietor  nearly  a  quarter  of  a  century  ago,in  the 
year  1881.  The  store  occupied  by  Mr.  Hardin  since  1896,  is  one  of 
the  best  appointed  in  the  city,  and  was  specially  fitted  up  for  the  busi- 
ness. The  stock  comprises  drugs,  pharmaceutical  preparations,  patent 
medicines,  perfumery,  toilet  articles  etc.  Only  the  best  selected  and 
freshest  of  wares  are  found  at  this  establishment.  A  specialty  is  made 
of  prescriptions  and  family  recipes,  and  the  well-known  reputation  of 
the  house  and  its  proprietor,  assures  that  the  greatest  care  is  excercised 
as  to  detail,  and  quality  of  the  ingredients.  Mr.  Hardin  manu- 
factures special  preparations  which  are,  Hardin's  Rheumatic  Cure  and 
Hardin's  Nerve  and  Bone  Oil.  These  are  high-grade  and  valuable 
specifics  of  real  merit.  They  have  become  popular  throughout  this 
section  of  the  country  and  are  in  standard  demand.  The  house  jobs 
them  to  merchants  throughout  North  and  South  Carolina  generally. 
Another  department  is  the  handling  of  seeds  and  truckers'  supplies. 
Both  a  wholesale  and  retail  business  is  transacted  in  this  line,  the 
house  being  headquarters  for  these  goods.  Mr.  J.  H.  Hardin  is 
thoroughly  well-known,  both  to  the  trade  and  the  general  public.  He 
has  been  identified  with  the  drug  business  for  twenty-eight  years.  He 
takes  also  an  interest  in  the  general  welfare  of  the  community  and  is 
one  of  the  directors  of  the  Wilmington  Homestead  and  Loan  Co.  The 
house  is  eminently  a  representative  of  the  best  class  of  Wilmington's 
trade. 


J*  VAN  B*  METTS, 
General  Insurance  Agency,  S*  A*  L*  Building,  North  Front  Street* 

A  reliable  insurance  agency,  perhaps  the  oldest  established  of  the 
kind  here,  is  that  now  conducted  by  Mr.  J. Van  B.  Metts.  It  was  estab- 
lished many  years  ago  as  Atkinson  &  Manning.  Later  C.  W.  Man- 
ning retired,  and  J.  W.  Atkinson  and  W.  M.  Atkinson  formed  the 
firm  of  Atkinson  &  Son.  Then  J.  W.  Atkinson  withdrew,  and  the  firm 
title  was  changed  to  Atkinson  &  Chadbourn.  Later  the  firm  of  Chad- 
bourn  &  Steadman  was  instituted.  On  the  election  of  Mr.  F.  H.  Stead- 
man  to  the  office  of  sheriff  in  1900,  the  present  proprietor  Mr.  J. 
Van  B.  Metts  purchased  the  business.  He  represents  for  this  locality 
the  following  staunch  companies:  the  Imperial  of  London,  Hartford  of 
Connecticut,  Fire  Association  of  Philadelphia,  North  British  and  Mer- 


THE  CITY  OF  WILMINGTON.  113 

cantile  of  London,  Commercial  Union  of  London,  Phenix  of  Brooklyn, 
Norwich  Union  of  England,  New  Hampshire  of  Manchester,  Hanover 
of  New  York,  Orient  of  Hartford,  Piedmont  of  Charlotte,  N.  C. , 
Southern  Mutual  of  Greensboro,  N.  C,  Home  of  N.  C. ,  British  Am- 
erican of  New  York,  and  Firemen's  of  Baltimore.  These  are  companies 
assuring  certain  indemnity  in  case  of  disaster.  Mr.  Metts  also  represents 
the  Maryland  Life  of  Baltimore  and  the  Maryland  Casualty  Co.  Mr. 
J.  Van  B.  Metts  is  well-known  to  the  community.  He  was  formerly 
with  the  house  of  Walker  Taylor  &  Metts  six  years  as  clerk  and  two 
years  as  a  partner.  Mr.  Metts  was  for  some  time  a  first  lieutenant  in 
the  Wilmington  Light  Infantry  and  is  now  one  of  the  Reserve  Corps. 
He  is  a  member  of  all  the  German  clubs  and  societies  of  the  city. 
He  is  also  an  officer  of  the  Carolina  Yacht  Club,  and  generally  raav 
be  said  to  be  popular  in  the  community. 


THE  COOPER  &  COOPER  COMPANY, 
Wholesale  Grocers,  Nutt  Street* 

The  Cooper  &  Cooper  Company  was  established  here  October 
1899,  with  a  very  strong  and  influential  management,  and  with  every 
experience  and  facility.  The  president  of  company  is  Mr.  L.  J.  Cooper, 
and  Mr.  P.  S.  Cooper  is  secretary  and  treasurer.  Among  the  directors 
are  Mr.  B.  F.  Bullard,  vice-president  of  the  Southern  Naval  Stores  Co. , 
Savannah,  and  A.  Sessoms,  who  is  also  a  director  of  the  same  company 
and  a  well-known  and  prominent  capitalist  of  the  Carolinas.  Mr.  P.  S. 
Cooper  is  a  resident  of  Mullins,  S.  C. ,  where  he  is  cashier  of  the  bank. 
Mr.  L.  J.  Cooper  devotes  his  close  energies  to  the  conduct  of  the  busi- 
ness. He  was  for  a  number  of  years  commercial  traveller  with  W.  B. 
Cooper  of  this  city.  The  company  handle  everything  in  the  line  of 
groceries,  and  cater  to  the  trade  of  this  locality  within  a  hundred  miles 
distance  and  have  three  commercial  travellers  on  the  road.  They  have 
the  very  best  of  inducements  to  offer  the  trade,  and  with  ample  capital 
at  command  are  enabled  to  make  the  most  advantageous  purchases  and 
to  quote  the  lowest  prices  and  to  extend  to  merchants  every  courtesy 
along  with  fair  dealing.  The  enterprise  may  be  quoted  as  among  the 
most  staunch  and  responsible  of  the  wholesale  houses  of  Wilmington. 


THE  TURRENTINE  LIGHT  COMPANY, 

Illuminators,  217  North  Front  Street. 

The  above  named  enterprise  is  of  a  very  useful  character  and  has 
exhibited  a  marked  measure  of  progress  since  its  inception  about  four 
years  ago.  The  premises  utilized  comprise  a  show  room  in  front  with 
work  shop  in  rear.  The  Turrentine  Light  Company  are  dealers  in  gas 
and  electric  light  fixtures,  such  as  chandeliers,  arc  gas  lamps,  etc,  and 
they  handle  all  Welsbach  supplies  and  standard  make  of  mantles  and 
supplies.  A  specialty  is  made  of  the  installation  of  incandescent  gas 
and  electric  light,  which  work  is  throughly  and  promptly  carried  out, 
putting  patrons  to  the  least  of  inconvenience.  We  should  also  mention 
the  Kern  incandescent  gas  burner,  which  positively  saves  eighty  per 
cent,  of  the  gas  bill,  at  the  same  time  giving  a  better  light  than    ordi- 


ir4  .  THE  CITY  OF  WILMINGTON. 


nary  burners.  Only  one  foot  of  gas  an  hour  is  consumed  by  this  burn- 
er; the  ordinary  burners  consuming  five  feet.  Another  specialty  is  the 
Kitson  system  of  incandescent  kerosene  lighting,  using  ordinary  illumi- 
nating oil  instead  of  gas,  similar  results  being  attained  from  the  oil  as 
from  gas,  giving-  2,000  candle-power,  at  a  cost  of  only  three  quarters  of  a 
cent  per  hour,  and  does  away  largely  with  the  breakage  of  chimneys,  while 
in  every  regard  the  results  are  thoroughly  satisfactory.  The  patronage 
of  this  house  is  not  confined  to  the  city,  but  comes  here  also  from  the  sur- 
rounding tributary  territory.  The  gentlemen  conducting  the  enterprise 
are:  John  R.  Turrentine,  Jr.,  of  the  firm  of  The  John  R.  Turrentine 
Company,  and  F.  P.  Turrentine.  The  latter  is  practically  familiar 
with  the  business  to  which  his  closest  energies  and  supervision  are  di- 
rected. This  young  but  enterprising  establishment  may  be  ranked  as 
among  the  most  promising,  domiciled  in  Wilmington. 


THE  S0UTHP0RT  &  WILMINGTON  STEAMBOAT  LINE, 

Capt*  J*  W*  Harper,  Proprietor* 

Wharf,  Foot  of  Market  Street. 

The  Southport  and  Wilmington  Line,  runs  from  Wilmington  to 
Southport  and  includes  all  lower  Cape  Fear  landings.  The  trip  is 
made  daily,  and  takes  about  two  hours  each  way.  The  line  carries 
passengers  and  freight,  as  well  as  the  United  States  mails.  The  trip 
is  delightful  and  historically  interesting,  recalling  revolutionary  times 
and  the  period  of  the  Civil  War.  The  steamer  Wilmington  of  which 
Captain  John  W.  Harper  is  master  and  owner,  is  a  speedy,  handsome  and 
well  appointed  craft.  Every  convenience  is  provided  for  the  com- 
fort of  passengers,  and  the  boat  is  as  punctual  as  clock-work.  In  the 
summer  time  thousands  make  this  trip,  and  ladies  with  their  children 
find  it  a  pleasurable  and  healthful  way  of  spending  a  day.  Visitors  to 
to  the  city  make  it  a  point  to  go  down  to  Southport  and  back,  at  least 
once  during  their  stay.  As  regards  a  freight  carrier,  the  line  renders 
accessible  a  prosperous  trading  country,  whose  orders  come  to  this  city. 
Capt.  John  W.  Harper  may  be  said  to  be  personally  known  to  almost 
every  resident  of  the  city,  and  the  river  below  it,  and  he  is  esteemed 
and  popular.  He  has  been  running  boats  up  and  down  the  river  for 
over  a  quarter  of  a  century.  He  was  in  fact  the  pioneer  of  the  regular 
summer  trips  to  the  sea-coast.  He  is  also  identified  with  the  proprie- 
torship of  the  New  Hanover  Transit  Co., a  short  railroad  line  connecting 
the  boats  with  Carolina  Beach;  and  with  the  Atlantic  Fisheries  Co., 
and  the  Cape  Fear  Fisheries  Co.  of  Southport.  Capt.  Harper  is  also 
the  owner  of  the  steamer  Southport,  of  which  Capt.  Burriss  is  master. 
This  plies  between  Wilmington  and  Southport  and  for  some  time  past 
has  been  chartered  by  the  Government.  As  one  of  the  attractions  and 
trade  conveniences  of  the  city  the  Southport  and  Wilmington  Line  and 
the  steamer  Wilmington  are  deserving  of  due  recognition  in  this 
volume. 


THE    CITY  OF  WILMINGTON  115 

ANGOLA  LUMBER  COMPANY, 

Manufacturers  of  Lumber,  Wilmington,  N*  C. 

Established  in  Wilmington  only  about  two  years  since,  the  Ango- 
la Lumber  Company  has  developed  an  important  business,  and  material- 
ly enhanced  the  reputation  of  the  city  as  a  lumber  producing  and  ship- 
ping point.  The  company's  plant  covers  forty  acres,  with  a  half  mile 
frontage  on  the  river.  The  railroad  tracks  enter  the  property  and  ves- 
sels load  at  the  docks.  The  saw  and  planing  mills  have  the  latest  improved 
appliances,  operated  by  steam  of  600  horse  power  capacity.  The  com- 
pany are  the  owners  of  timber  lands  in  North  Carolina  covering  an  area 
of  50, 000  acres,  so  that  large  reserves  of  raw  material  are  available. 
Here  they  have  a  well  equipped  railroad  with  locomotives,  cars,  etc. 
The  loos  are  brought  to  the  river,  and  are  thence  conveved  to  the  mill 
direct.  The  company  are  manufacturers  of  flooring,  ceiling  and  parti- 
tion rough  and  dressed  lumber  for  interior  finish  and  other  uses,  made 
from  the  well  known  North  Carolina  pine  timber.  The  capacity  of  the 
mill  is  about  50,000  feet  daily .  In  the  various  departments  about  150 
men  are  given  employment.  On  the  property  is  a  box  factor}",  which 
obtains  all  its  lumber  from  the  Angola  Lumber  Company,  and  this  is 
conducted  under  the  name  of  the  E.  H.  Barnes  Company;  Mr.  J.  T. 
Wood  is  manager,  and  from  forty  to  fifty  men  are  here  employed.  The 
•executive  officers  of  the  Angola  Lumber  Company  are:  J.  W.  Perry  of 
Norfolk,  president,  S.  M.  Lloyd  of  Norfolk,  secretary  and  treasurer 
and  W.  T.  Sears,  general  manager.  The  first  named  gentlemen  have 
other  large  lumber  interests  at  Norfolk.  Mr.  Sears,  who  resides  here 
is  also  president   of  the   Courtland   Lumber   Co.    of   Norfolk. 

ROBERT  P0RTNER  BREWING  CO,,  Alexandria,  Va„ 
Wilmington  Branch,  Otto  Banck,  Manager,  Eighth  and  Brunswick  Streets* 

The  well  known  Robert  Portlier  Brewing  Company  of  Alexandria, 
Va.,  have  been  represented  in  this  city  for  a  period  of  about  a  quarter 
of  a  century.  The  enterprise  is  the  largest  of  the  kind  in  the  South, 
and  the  reputation  of  its  product  is  well  known  and  recognized.  The 
establishment  in  Wilmington  is  conveniently  located,  contiguous  to  the 
railroads,  affording  the  best  of  shipping  facilities.  The  beer  is  receiv- 
ed direct  from  the  brewery  in  bulk,  except  the  export  beer,  and  is 
bottled  here,  there  being  a  complete  and  latest  improved  bottling 
plant  available,  with  cold  storage,  which  has  a  capacity  for  300  barrels. 
The  beer  made  by  the  company  is  of  particularly  high  quality,  manufac- 
tured from  the  best  of  malt  and  hops,  and  it  is  guaranteed  unadulterated. 
The  lager  beer  is  generally  known  as  "Vienna  Cabinet";  the  export 
beer  being  celebrated  by  its  brand  title  of  "Hoibrau".  The  reputation 
of  this  malt  liquor  has  long  been  staple  in  this  locality,  and  the  demand 
for  it  steadily  increases.  Mr.  Otto  Banck,  the  manager,  has  been  in 
charge  of  the  Wilmington  branch  for  over  seven  years.  It  is  hardly 
too  much  to  say,  that  this  gentleman  enjoys  the  favor  and  appreciation 
of  the  trade,  in  an  eminent  degree.  He  has  ever}-  experience,havingbeenin 
the  service  of  the  house  for  eighteen  years,  at  Augusta,  Ga.  and  Char- 
leston, S.  C,  before  coming  to  this  city.  As  to  the  standing  of  the 
company,  we  can  only  say  that  it  ranks  at  the  head  of  similar  enterpris- 
es in  the  South,  for    wholesomeness  of  product,   and  for  fair  dealing. 


INDEX. 


Adrian  Company,  Wholesale  Grocers,...  72 
American  Chemical  and   Textile   Color- 
ing Company, 100 

Angola  Lumber  Company, 115 

Armour  Packing  Company, 104 

Atlantic  Inn, 67 

Atlantic  National  Bank, 72 

Bear,     I.    M.    &    Co.,     Wholesale    Dry 

Goods, 58 

Bear,    Morris   &   Bros.,   Wholesale  Dry 

Goods 83 

Bear,  Sr.,  Samuel,  Wholesale  Grocer,..   69 

Bear,  Sol  &  Co.,  Wholesale  Liquors, 104 

Bellamy,  R.  R.,  Wholesale  Druggist,..,.  68 

Blake,  A.    E.,  Peanuts,  49 

Boney  &  Harper  Milling  Co., 70 

Brown,  A.  D.,  Dry  Goods,  Carpets,  etc.,  100 

Cape  Fear  Dumber  Co., 48 

Carolina  Insurance  Co 50 

Champion  Compress  andWarehouse  Co.,  53 

Coal,  Cement  and  Supply  Co.,  The, 97 

Cooper  &  Cooper  Co.,  The 113 

Cooper,  W.  B.,  Wholesale  Grocer,  etc  ,    70 
Corbett   Co.,    The,     Commission     Mer- 
chants etc., Ill 

Covington,  C.  C.  &  Co.,  Molasses,    Fish 

and  Flour 82 

Cowan,  S.  P.  Livery  Co 75 

Creasy  Bros.,  Peanuts,  Fruit  etc 68 

Croom  &  Hunt,  Grocers  etc 52 

Cnmming,     Preston,      General      Wood 

Worker 45 

Curran,  M.  H.,  Merchant  Tailor, 86 

David,  A.  Co.,  The,  Clothing  etc., 107 

Delgado  Mills,  Cotton  Factory, 65 

DeRosset,  R.  C,  Books  and  Stationery,  62 
Diamond  Steamboat  and  Wrecking  Co.,  81 
Divine,  M.  W.  &  Co.,  Paints,  Glass  etc.,  43 

Fishblate  Clothing  Co., 110 

Foard.  Chas.  D.,   Hardware 105 

Fore  &  Foster,  Planing   Mill   and   Sash 

and  Blind  Co  , 91 

French,  G.  R.  &  Sons,  Wholesale  Boots 

and  Shoes,.... 99 

French,  Jr.,  W.  R  ,  Cigars  etc., 77 

Garrell,  J.  F.  &  Co.,  Cattle  Dealers  and 

Butchers, 108 

Gaylord,  G.  O.,  Dry  Goods,  etc., 85 

Gieschen,  Bros.,  Atlantic  Inn 67 

Globe,  The,  Wines  and  Liquors 110 

Gore,    D.    L.    Co.,    Wholesale   Grocers, 

Druggists,  etc.,  98 

Gore,  T.   J.,  Groceries,  Liquors,  etc 45 

Green,  H.  McL.    &   Mcintosh,   Lumber 

Agents, 90 

Hall  &  Pearsall,  (Incorporated)  Whole- 
sale Grocers,  etc., 57 

Hardin,  J.  H.,  Druggist,  etc 112 

Harper,    J.  W.,  Proprietor  Steamer  Wil- 
mington,  114 

Heide,  A.  S.,  Ship  Chandler,  71 

Heide  &  Co..  Ship  Brokers, 71 

Heyer  Bros.,  Wholesale  Grocers, 106 

Hilton  Lumber  Co., 61 

Home  Brewing  Co., 73 

Trydraulic  White  Brick  Co 55 

j   dependent  Ice  Co.,  The,.. 102 


Jacobi,  N.,  Hardware  Co., 42 

Keith,  B.  F.  Co.,  Shingles,  Lumber  etc.,  74 
Kerchner,  F.  W.,   Wines   and   Liquors,  79 

Kidder  Lumber  Co., 69» 

Kuck,  Jno.  H. ,  Groceries,  Liquors  etc...  96 

Maffitt,  C  D.,  Ship  Chandler  etc 88. 

Mc  Eachern,  D.,  Wholesale  Grocer  and 

Naval  Stores 64 

McNair,  S.  P.,  Wholesale  Grocer  etc.,...  56. 
McQueen,  Jr.,  Peter,  Wholesale  Grocer,. 106. 

Metts,  J.  Van  B. ,  Insurance, 112. 

Mitchell,  B.  F.  Co.,  Grain,  Peanuts,etc,  SS. 
Moore's,   Roger   Sons  &  Co.,    Builders' 

Materials,.... .93; 

Morton,  Geo.  L.  Co.,  The,    Turpentine, 

Rosin  etc. 103. 

Murchison,  J.  W.  &  Co.,  Hardware, 94 

Murchison  National  Bank,  The, 66 

Navassa  Guano  Co.,  Fertilizers, 46 

Orton,  The  Hotel, 89 

Parker,  N.  F.,  Furniture, 84 

People's  Savings  Bank, 94 

Pickett,  R.  H.,  Merchandise  Broker 67 

Polvogt,  C.  W.   Co...  The,  Dry  Goods  etc.  82 

Portner  Brewing  Co 115 

Racket  Store,  The,... 85 

Render,   II.  Mrs.,  Florist 101 

Rehder,  J.    H.    &   Co.,    Wholesale   Dry 

Goods,  Clothing  etc....... 92 

Rheinstein  Dry  Goods  Co.,  The 95 

Rhodes  &  Hintze,  Meat  Dealers 107 

Sea  Shore  Hotel, 29 

Sloan,  J    H.,    Cotton    Shipper    and  Ex- 

porter, 61 

Solomon,  S.  &  B., Wholesale  Dry  Goods, 

Boots,  Shoes  etc., Ill 

Spirittine  Chemical  Co., 76 

Springer,  J.  A.  &  Co.,  Coal,  Wooed  etc.,  44 
Sprunt,  Alex.  &  Son,  Cotton  Exporters,  53- 
Stevenson,  J.  C.  Co., Wholesale  Grocers, 101 

Taylor,  J.  A.,  Wholesale  Grocer, 52" 

Taylor,  Walker,  Insurance, 7S 

Tucker,    H.    A.     &   Bro.,     Marble   and 

Granite  Workers, 60 

Turrentine,  John  R.  Co.,  The,  Merchan- 
dise Brokers, 87 

Turrentine  Light  Co., 113 

Vollers  &  Hashagen,  Wholesale  Provis- 
ions, Cigars  etc., 51 

Watters,  J.  H.,  Wholesale  Grocer 75 

Whitlock,  C.  M.,  Iron  Works   and   Mill 

Supplies  etc ,.105 

Willard  Bag  and  Manufacturing  Co. ,...109' 

Willard  &  Giles,  Insurance, 50 

Williams  Bros.,  Wholesale  Grocers, 59' 

Wilmington  and  Southport  Steamboat     ■*' 

Line 114 

Wilmington  Floral  Co 96 

Wilmington  Iron  Works,  The 56 

Wilmington   Peanut  Co 90- 

Wilmington  Refrigerator  and  Ice  Works  80 

Wilmington  Savings  and  Trust  Co., 86 

Worth  Co.,  The  Wholesale  Grocers 41 

Worth,  Wm.  E.  &  Co.,  Ice, 80' 

Yates,  C.  W.  &  Co.,  Books  and  Station- 
ery,  ios 

Yopp,  W.  H.,  Fish,  Oysters  etc., 79' 


n 

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